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| - Israel's longest serving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has until midnight Tuesday to form a new government if he is to hang onto power. The new round of political horse trading comes after the fourth inconclusive election in two years. In polls on April 9, 2019, the incumbent Netanyahu hopes to prevail again, despite being dogged by corruption allegations. Netanyahu's right-wing Likud and the centrist Blue and White alliance of ex-military chief Benny Gantz finish neck-and-neck with 35 seats each. Parliament chooses Netanyahu, backed by smaller right-wing parties, to try to form a majority government. But after weeks of political bargaining, he is unable to command a majority in the 120-seat parliament. The deadline expires and parliament agrees to hold a new election. The September 17 vote proves another tight race, with Gantz's party on 33 seats against the Likud's 32. Netanyahu is charged with forming a government and proposes a unity government, but Gantz refuses to join, citing his rival's potential indictment on corruption charges. Neither can muster the 61 seats needed for a majority. After Netanyahu tells President Reuven Rivlin he has failed to form a government on October 20, Rivlin hands the task to Gantz, who also throws in the towel a month later. Netanyahu is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust on November 21. It is the first time a sitting premier faces trial in Israel. Netanyahu rejects the charges, saying they are an attempt to remove him. On December 11, as the deadline passes to form a government, lawmakers call a new election for March 2, 2020. This time around the Likud wins the most seats -- 36 against 33 for Gantz's party. On March 16, Gantz, backed by 61 lawmakers, is nominated to try to form a government, but fails. On April 20, with Israel in lockdown against the coronavirus and facing economic crisis, Netanyahu and Gantz announce a deal to form an emergency unity government. The three-year agreement will allow Netanyahu to stay in office for 18 months. Gantz will then take over for 18 months, before Israel heads to an election. On May 6, Israel's Supreme Court approves the coalition deal and lawmakers endorse the pact the next day. But after lawmakers fail to adopt a budget, parliament is dissolved on December 23, and a new election called for March 2021. Israelis go to the polls for a fourth election on March 23. The Likud comes first, winning 30 seats, but Netanyahu still has no clear path to power. The president asks him to form the next government on April 6, giving him a May 4 deadline. On April 18, Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid party proposes a unity government of the right, centre and left to oust Netanyahu. Netanyahu calls on former senior Likud member Gideon Saar to join a government. Two days later, he calls for Israel's next leader to be chosen by referendum. acm/jmy/fg/kir
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