Can Netanyahu Bring Kadima Into a Center-Right Coalition?

With the growing animosity between Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party and the religious right making their coexistence in a right-far right coalition increasingly unlikely, the Likud Party is trying once again to court Kadima for a potential center-right coalition.

When Kadima ended up with more seats than Likud, the prospect that they would join as a secondary partner in a Likud-led government seemed extremely unlikely. As both sides come to grips with the difficulty of cutting the other out of coalition, Likud is hoping the offer of major ministerships will put the option back on the table.

The reported proposal now would have Netanyahu as Prime Minister, Livni retaining her job as Foreign Minister, and Shaul Mofaz as Defense Minister. Lieberman would be included in the coalition as well, as Finance Minister. It seems unlikely with Livni still trying to put together a coalition of her own, but nevertheless, it is one of the many possibilities for an Israeli government.