Israel's Netanyahu given 14 more days to form coalition government

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Despite his decisive electoral victory in March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to form a government and on Monday was granted an extension to complete negotiations for a new ruling coalition.

Since being tapped to put together the next government, Netanyahu has held talks with the five conservative parties he refers to as his “natural partners.” However, a month of negotiations have yet to yield an agreement with any of them to join a ruling coalition.

Netanyahu, who is seeking to form his fourth government since 1996, will have used the 28 days Israeli law allots a candidate for a first stab at securing a ruling coalition later this week. On Monday, he asked President Reuven Rivlin for the maximum legal extension of another 14 days, taking him to May 7.

Failure to form a government after that could result in one of his political rivals being asked to try or even result in new elections, though the latter is far less unlikely.

http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-israel-netanyahu-coalition-20150420-story.html

[geek tragedy]

1. Times needs to hire an editor --"far less unlikely?"

The axis of evil parties are negotiating with Bibi but bidding against one another by the same token. There probably won't be a final deal with any until there's a final deal with all.

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2. I will be surprised if something is not "patched together at the last moment."

That seems to be how he likes to do things. And as I have said before, I have a lot of faith in his ability to piss people off an fuck things up. But bigger things are afoot than the byzantine intricacies of Israeli or US' politics.

The Press, well let's call them the media, in this country are addicted to passive and indirect forms, "not unlikely" for "likely" and all it's ugly and dissembling kin. Once you understand that their job is to prevent thinking and observation, and to diffuse responsibility and agency, the utility of this tactic becomes clear.

[geek tragedy]

4. I think they meant to write "far less likely" or "unlikely" but goofed.

Unless they're really trying to suggest that a new election would be far more likely.

Bibi's coalition will come together because they all have a vested interest in making it happen.

Bibi most of all.

[bemildred]

6. Ah, but you weren't sure where you?

Imagine all those people our there without Oberliner to clear things up? I tell you it's a plot.

[oberliner]

7. This kind of nonsense happens all the time

It is really embarrassing, I would think, for those sources.

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8. I can't really disagree. nt

[oberliner]

3. Ask and you shall receive

Failure to form a government after that could result in one of his political rivals being asked to try or even result in new elections, though the latter is far less likely.

April 20, 12:15 p.m.: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that holding new elections was far less unlikely.

[geek tragedy]

5. Ha! Thx nt

[Little Tich]

9. If he can't form a government, then he should stop trying.

However, this is really good news. Perhaps the Jewish state will remain democratic after all...