Jerusalem/UNI: Israels Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has succeeded in forming a new coalition government.
I have managed (to form a government), Netanyahu wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, minutes before a midnight deadline.
In a separate statement, Netanyahus right-wing Likud party said that the veteran leader called President Isaac Herzog and informed the president that he has successfully formed a new government.
The Likud has yet to sign final coalition agreements with four of its five partners — three extreme-right parties and two Jewish ultra-Orthodox parties. The new government needs to be sworn in by Jan. 2, 2023, according to Israeli law.
Netanyahu has struggled for the past weeks to satisfy the demands of his coalition partners in exchange for their support.
The announcement marks the return to power of Israels longest-serving leader, who was ousted only a year and a half ago.
Netanyahus bloc won 64 of the Israeli parliaments 120 seats in the countrys fifth elections in less than four years, which were held on Nov 1.
