Netanyahu To Meet Centrist Rival In Last-Ditch Bid To Form Unity Government

(Yahoo! News) Maayan Lubell September 29 2019 JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival he said on Sunday. An inconclusive ballot on Sept. 17 the second this year has created a political deadlock and left Israels longest-serving prime minister weakened. Netanyahu facing a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies has failed to secure a clear election victory twice in six months. His right-wing Likud party came second with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament against 33 for former military chief Benny Gantzs centrist Blue and White party. With neither party leader appearing able on his own to put together a coalition with a ruling majority Israels president on Wednesday tasked Netanyahu with forming the next government in the hope of securing a power-sharing deal between the Blue and White party and Likud. If Netanyahu fails to clinch a deal President Reuven Rivlin is then likely to ask Gantz to try to form a government though he like Netanyahu also has no clear path to power. The parties negotiators met on Friday without success with each side blaming the other for the stalemate. Likud said Netanyahu then telephoned Gantz and the two men would probably meet on Wednesday after another round of talks. Prime Minister Netanyahu is making a last effort to bring about a breakthrough in the talks for a unity government Likuds spokesman said. The Blue and White party said it would spare no effort to form a broad liberal unity government.