Netanyahu changes course – wants “broad coalition”

TT

Published 23.11

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a press conference on Saturday. Photo: Ronen Zvulun/AP/TT

Public opinion is doing badly for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Now he has announced his intention to form a “broad coalition government” – without support from fringe parties – after the autumn elections.

Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and leads a right-wing government in which several ultranationalists hold ministerial positions.

Netanyahu’s bid for re-election as leader of the right-wing conservative Likud party was announced just over two weeks ago. On Saturday, he signaled a shift in terms of government partnerships ahead of the parliamentary elections on October 27.

– I intend to form a broad national government. Not a right-wing government, not a left-wing government dependent on Arab parties, but a broad national government, Netanyahu said at a press conference.

A recent opinion poll shows that a majority wants Netanyahu to leave office.