President Herzog to begin government formation consultations Wednesday

President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with factions elected to the 26th Knesset on Wednesday, November 4, meeting smaller parties first as he examines options for forming a government, his office announced.

The talks will open at the President’s Residence at 5 p.m. with Religious Zionism-Zehut. Representatives of Shas and Yisrael Beitenu will follow that evening, with the remaining factions scheduled to meet Herzog on Thursday.

Departing from previous practice, Herzog will hold the consultations in ascending order of parliamentary seats.

His office said the approach is intended to encourage fresh thinking and allow a broader examination of possible governing arrangements before meetings with the larger factions.

The president will hear each faction’s recommendation on who should be tasked with forming the next government and explore alternatives that could help secure an agreement. His office said he has not ruled out a further round of consultations if necessary.

Thursday’s meetings will begin with United Torah Judaism at 8:30 am., followed by Otzma Yehudit, Democrats and then Ra’am. Talks will resume in the afternoon with the Joint List, followed by Be’Yahad and Yashar!, before concluding with Likud at 8:30 pm.

After completing the consultations, Herzog will announce which Knesset member will receive the mandate to form a government. Under Basic Law: The Government, the designated member will have 28 days to assemble a coalition. The president may grant an extension of up to 14 additional days.

The consultations will be broadcast live on the president’s official social media accounts. Faction leaders will be able to make statements to journalists at a media center at the President’s Residence immediately after their meetings.