A fragile cross-spectrum Israeli government may emerge

Significance

Lapid on March 5 received the mandate to form a new government, after incumbent Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu tried and failed in the wake of indecisive March 23 polls. He now has 28 days to finalise a coalition of at least seven parties.

Impacts

• If Lapid fails, Israel will probably hold its fifth election since April 2019, extending the period of political paralysis.
• Non-ideological economic issues would be top of the government’s agenda, to avoid internal friction and address post-pandemic problems.
• The departure of Netanyahu could open up more options in dialogue with the administration of US President Joe Biden.