Eisenkot Proposes 58-Seat Minority Cabinet, Splitting Opposition on Path Forward

Israeli voters may face a government that lacks a permanent parliamentary majority if the anti-Netanyahu bloc follows the plan proposed by Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot, who intends to serve as the bloc's lead candidate, argues that a minority cabinet is a viable option if his coalition secures 58 or 59 seats in the upcoming election. Under this structure, the government would be sworn in after winning a confidence vote and would then work to expand its support among other members of the Knesset.

The proposal has divided the coalition of parties seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman, both prominent figures in the opposition, reject the minority model. Bennett, who leads the Beyachad list with Yair Lapid, insists on a government with a clear Zionist majority and refuses to rely on the abstentions or votes of Arab parties. He views the option as a compromise that could weaken the new administration.

Avigdor Liberman takes an even stricter stance. He categorically opposes a minority government, even if it is intended to be temporary. Liberman argues that a unity government with Netanyahu is also unacceptable and stated that a new election would be preferable to a cabinet that does not meet his conditions. He has suggested recruiting individual Likud members to join a government without Netanyahu, though he has not named specific candidates or confirmed that formal talks are underway.

The legal framework allows for this minority scenario during the formation of a government. Swearing in a new cabinet requires a majority in a confidence vote, meaning abstentions can enable a smaller bloc to take office. This differs from a constructive vote of no confidence, which requires 61 members to back an alternative government. Consequently, the minority plan would allow the opposition to form a cabinet if they win 58 seats, but it would not enable them to remove a sitting Netanyahu government by simple majority.

Separate from the cabinet strategy, the opposition is nearing an agreement to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before any coalition deal is finalized. Controlling the speaker's position would allow the opposition to manage the parliamentary agenda, even if Netanyahu remains in a caretaker role. Names under consideration include Chili Tropper, Matan Kahana, and Elazar Stern from Eisenkot's party, as well as candidates from the Bennett-Lapid list, the Democrats, and Yisrael Beytenu. No consensus candidate has been announced yet.

The bloc also aims to advance a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, modify conscription laws, and limit the tenure of the prime minister. These legislative goals face internal disagreements, as not all parties support every judicial change. The memory of the previous Bennett-Lapid government, which collapsed before completing its agenda, continues to influence current negotiations as party teams begin to coordinate on the details.