Government Formation

Why bloc leaders can't pass a draft law

The senior analyst lays out the tight timeline for forming a government and explains why the short mandate will prevent complex legislation like the draft law from moving forward

Gila Isaacson

NOV 3, 2026 15:24

1 min read

Mark us as a preferred source Follow us on

As bloc leaders work to assemble a coalition and await the president's decision on the mandate, journalist Benny Ashkenazi has identified the central obstacle they face: the legal time limit for forming a government and its direct impact on advancing legislation.

"Bottom line: the main problem for the bloc leaders is time," Ashkenazi explained. "Whoever receives the mandate gets 28 days to form a government, and if he doesn't succeed, the president may extend the period by another 14 days. A total of 42 days gross, including Shabbatot and holidays."

Control of the Arrangements Committee and the constitutional implications

Ashkenazi emphasized the significance of the mandate-transfer stage and the parliamentary consequences of using the extension days: "After those 42 days, the mandate returns to the president, and whoever receives it controls the Arrangements Committee in the Knesset."

"The practical meaning is that there's no time for complex legislation, the most critical of which is the draft law," Ashkenazi concluded. "Only targeted moves, such as repealing laws relating to the judicial system and the communications law."

Ready for more?

Join our newsletter to receive updates on new articles and exclusive content.

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.