According to new reports, Israel’s opposition party has secured the numbers to form a new majority government in Israel.
Yair Lapid from the centrist Yesh Atid party, has just announced that a deal has been reached.
“I am honoured to inform you that I have succeeded in forming a government,”
Mr Lapid told President Reuven Rivlin in an email, according to his office.
Lapid was seeking the support of a right wing politician, Naftali Bennett, expected to become the country’s Prime Minister.
Under the agreement, Lapid and Bennett will split the job of prime minister in a rotation.
Bennett will serve the first two years, while Lapid will serve the final two.
This follows Lapid securing a number of deals, to help lock in the numbers and form the new majority.
“This government will work for all Israel’s citizens, those who voted for it and those who did not. It will respect its opponents and do all it can to unite and connect all parts of Israeli society,”
Lapid said on Twitter.
Over the past week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been appealing to his fellow right-wing politicians to not join the proposed coalition.
Prior to a new government being formed, the members would still be required to achieve a vote of confidence in Parliament, which may prove difficult.
If the vote is not successful, Israelis may be back to the polling booths.. for the fifth time in five years.
