Netanyahu said set to ask Herzog for extension to form government

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to ask President Isaac Herzog for an extension to form a government, Channel 12 reports.

Netanyahu has until December 11 to present his government. However, even though he is said to be closing in on finalizing deals with his partner parties, the report says he wants the extension.

Herzog has the discretion to give Netanyahu a 14-day extension.

The report says Netanyahu wants the time to hammer out all the details of the coalition agreements beyond the allocation of portfolios and to give the Knesset time to pass a law that will allow Shas chief Arye Deri to serve as a minister despite a recent criminal conviction.

Under current law, Deri’s tax offense conviction earlier this year, which included a suspended jail sentence, makes it difficult to appoint him to a ministerial position.