Middle East

Israel's Prime Minister Misses Deadline To Form Coalition

His party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.

Israel's Prime Minister Misses Deadline To Form Coalition
Maya Alleruzzo / AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu missed a midnight deadline Tuesday to form a new governing coalition. 

His party could be pushed into the opposition for the first time in 12 years.

On Wednesday, Israel's president will reach out to the parliament's 13 parties to discuss next steps. 

They have a few options: The president could give one of Netanyahu's opponents a chance to form a coalition, or he could ask the parliament to choose one of its own members as prime minister. 

If those don't work, the country could be forced into another election this fall — its fifth in just over two years.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.