Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has met with faction leaders as he begins the task of assembling his next coalition, confident he will receive the presidential mandate to do so. This will be the fifth government assembled by Netanyahu, who will be appointed 26 ministers based on the formula of each 2.5 Knesset seats will receive one cabinet post in the government.

According to the expected formula, Shas will receive three ministerial posts, as will Yahadut Hatorah. Bayit Yehudi, Kulanu and Yisrael Beitenu will receive two cabinet posts each.

One of the major problems facing Mr. Netanyahu is the draft law and the position of the chareidi parties as opposed to Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party. Lieberman has announced he will not tolerate and changes to the current draft of the law, while the chareidim announced the current bill is unacceptable. This is what led to early elections and this is where matters resume.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)