Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party has announced that it would back Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel's next prime minister. The announcement came shortly after left-wing parties Labor and Meretz announced Thursday morning that they would not recommend any candidate to president Shimon Peres. "The situation is already complicated and disturbing, with Yisrael Beiteinu recommending Israel's next prime minister. Our only option is to refrain from recommending anyone," said Labor chairman and defense minister Ehud Barak, referring to Avigdor Lieberman's far-right party.
After last week's inconclusive election, Netanyahu and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni are still vying to serve as Israel's next prime minister. "The picture is clear, and we are going to the opposition. In this reality, in my opinion, there is just one possibility, not to recommend any of the candidates for prime minister," added Barak, whose party garnered only 13 seats in the election. He made the comments in a faction meeting. Labor representatives were set to relay their decision to Peres later on Thursday.
The president began consultations on Wednesday with representatives of the parties in the new Knesset, and is expected to decide over the weekend whether to charge Netanyahu or Livni with the task of setting up a coalition. Peres intends to complete his consultations with all the party representatives by Thursday night.
