Eisenkot Proposes 58-Seat Minority Cabinet as Rivals Demand More

Gadi Eisenkot has set a 58-seat floor for a new Israeli government, a move that puts him at odds with key allies who demand a larger Zionist majority.

Current polls place the anti-Netanyahu camp ahead of the outgoing coalition, but Zionist parties lack the 61 seats required for a standard majority. Eisenkot argues that a government can be sworn in with 58 or 59 seats by winning a confidence vote, using abstentions to clear the legal threshold. This structure would allow the cabinet to take office immediately and then work to expand its support base in the Knesset.

Legal experts note that forming a government requires a majority in the confidence vote, not necessarily 61 affirmative votes. A constructive vote of no confidence, however, still requires 61 MKs to back an alternative leader. This distinction means the minority path could work for forming a new government but would not allow the bloc to remove a sitting Netanyahu administration by simple majority.

Avigdor Liberman and Naftali Bennett have rejected the plan. Liberman insists on a Zionist majority from the start and categorically opposes a minority government, even a transitional one. He stated that another election would be preferable to a cabinet that fails his conditions. Bennett and Yair Lapid, leading the Beyachad list, also demand a Zionist government and refuse to rely on Arab party votes or abstentions. Yair Golan of the Democrats has not ruled out cooperation with Ra'am, a move Eisenkot has also left open.

The leadership struggle intensifies the disagreement. Eisenkot seeks to lead the bloc as its main candidate, while Bennett views himself as the natural choice due to his experience as prime minister. A meeting between Eisenkot and Liberman this week ended with a joint call to boost voter turnout but left the structural disagreement unresolved.

In a parallel effort, the opposition is nearing an agreement to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before any coalition deal is finalized. The bloc aims to control the parliamentary agenda even if Netanyahu remains as caretaker. Candidates for the speaker role include Chili Tropper, Matan Kahana, Elazar Stern, Meirav Ben-Ari, Eitan Ginzburg, Efrat Rayten, and attorney Oded Forer. Liberman estimated that one-third of outgoing coalition MKs might vote against Ohana, though no consensus candidate has been announced.

The bloc also plans to advance a state commission of inquiry into October 7, changes to conscription law, and limits on the prime minister's tenure. Liberman additionally seeks a bar on serving as prime minister while facing criminal charges. Party teams have begun coordinating on these legislative priorities, though no binding agreement exists on the order of work.