Israel likely to face third election in a year

Under the Israeli law, parliament now enters a 21-day period where any lawmaker can try to muster the 61-seat majority and become the prime minister.

Jerusalem: Israel has been pushed closer toward an unprecedented third election in less than a year after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival announced that he had failed to form a new government.

The announcement by Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, prolonged the political paralysis that has gripped the nation for the past year.

Israelis on Thursday have expressed their concern over the political instability that have been dragging for sometime.

Gantz's announcement has provided a new lifeline for the embattled Netanyahu, who is desperate to remain in office as he prepares for an expected indictment on corruption charges, possibly on Friday.

The former military chief, Gantz was tapped to form the government last month after Netanyahu failed to cobble together a coalition in the wake of inconclusive September elections.

But during four weeks of intense negotiations, Gantz was unable to muster the support of a required 61-member majority in the 120-seat parliament by Wednesday’s midnight deadline.

Under the Israeli law, parliament now enters a 21-day period where any lawmaker can try to muster the 61-seat majority and become the prime minister of the nation.

"It is unlikely to happen and nobody knows what will happen then," said Yedidia Stern, a professor at the Israel Democracy Institute.

But despite the low prospects, both Gantz and Netanyahu are likely to continue their efforts to find coalition partners and explore the possibility of a unity government.

Dark-horse candidates may also emerge.

If they fail, the country would be forced to hold another election in March.

Wednesday’s crisis was triggered by Avigdor Lieberman, leader of a small secular, ultra nationalist party who has emerged as Israel’s political power broker.

Neither Gantz nor Netanyahu was able to form a majority government without Lieberman’s support. But on Wednesday, Lieberman made it clear that he would not endorse either candidate.