Eisenkot Bets on 58 Seats for Israeli Government as Rivals Demand 61

Gadi Eisenkot has proposed a path to power that requires only 58 seats in the Knesset. He wants to lead the anti-Netanyahu bloc and serve as prime minister. His plan relies on a minority government that takes office with fewer than 61 supporters. This approach differs from the standard requirement for a full majority. Eisenkot rejects a rotation deal with Benjamin Netanyahu.

Most polls place the change-seeking parties ahead of the outgoing coalition. However, they currently fall short of the 61 seats needed for a stable government under existing agreements. Netanyahu and his allies also lack a clear majority in many surveys. The final seat distribution could depend on the electoral threshold. A small shift in votes could determine if Israel forms a new government or faces another election.

The legal framework allows for a minority government to be sworn in if it passes a confidence vote. This process does not require 61 affirmative votes. Abstentions would be enough to secure a majority. This mechanism applies to forming a new government. It does not apply to removing a sitting government via a constructive vote of no confidence, which still requires 61 MKs. Eisenkot has not ruled out support from the Ra'am party, but no specific formula has been agreed upon.

Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman oppose the 58-seat plan. Liberman categorically rejects a minority government, even a transitional one. He demands a Zionist majority from the start. He also refuses a unity government with Netanyahu. Liberman stated that another election would be preferable to a government that does not meet his conditions. He suggested bringing in Likud MKs who are willing to join, though he has not named any specific members. Bennett and Yair Lapid, who head the Beyachad list, also demand a Zionist government and refuse to rely on Arab party votes or abstentions.

The parties are nearing an agreement on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. This change would happen before any coalition deal is finalized. The goal is to give opposition members control of the parliamentary agenda. They can use a public vote early in the new Knesset term. They may count on Arab party MKs to build a majority for a new speaker. Names under consideration include Chili Tropper, Matan Kahana, and Elazar Stern from Eisenkot's list. Candidates from the Bennett-Lapid list include Meirav Ben-Ari and Eitan Ginzburg. Efrat Rayten of the Democrats and attorney Oded Forer of Yisrael Beytenu are also in the mix. No consensus candidate has been announced yet.

Liberman estimated that one-third of outgoing coalition MKs might vote against Ohana. This would require an open vote. The bloc also wants to advance a state commission of inquiry into October 7. They seek changes to conscription law and limits on the prime minister's tenure. They aim to repeal some judicial changes made by the outgoing government. Liberman wants a bar on criminal charges for the prime minister. No binding agreement exists on the details or order of these laws. Party teams have begun coordinating, but obstacles remain. Not every member backs every judicial change. A new speaker does not guarantee a legislative majority. Laws aimed at Netanyahu could face constitutional hurdles. The collapse of the Bennett-Lapid government still weighs on the effort.