Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel’s Right-wing Likud party, has won the endorsement of Israel’s ‘kingmaker’ in a crucial step towards becoming prime minister.
Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, formally recommended that President Shimon Peres send for Mr Netanyahu and make him prime minister. Consequently, Israel may soon have a hardline, Right-wing government that may prove an exceptionally difficult partner for America’s new administration.
Mr Lieberman, who won the balance of power in the Knesset, or parliament, in the general election on Feb 10, had been careful to maximise his bargaining power. Having thrown his weight behind the Likud leader, he will almost certainly be rewarded with a senior cabinet post in the new government, possibly the finance ministry.