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Representatives from Likud-Beitenu, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home failed to resolve issues standing in the way of forming a new government during talks yesterday, with a Saturday night deadline approaching for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conclude coalition negotiations.

Although there is little suggestion that an agreement will not be reached in time, several outstanding issues remain before a new government can be announced. Haaretz suggests that the delay could mean that although an agreement will likely be concluded this week, a new government may not be officially sworn in until next week.

Disagreements remain over who will become the next education minister, with Netanyahu determined that incumbent Gideon Sa’ar, who topped the Likud primaries, remain in the role. However, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid appears insistent that his number two Shai Peron should take the portfolio. Some reports suggest that the position may be rotated between the two. A further dispute arose yesterday, with several publications reporting that Jewish Home and Yesh Atid are both requesting the chairmanship of the influential Knesset Finance Committee. Both parties are also pushing for Tzipi Livni’s Hatnuah Party to receive one, rather than two ministerial portfolios, as had previously been agreed. With just six Knesset seats, two ministries would mean that Hatnuah receive a proportionately larger number of ministers than Yesh Atid and Jewish Home. Channel Two claimed yesterday that Kadima would not be part of the coalition. Channel Two also reported that Likud-Beitenu, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home have agreed to raise the electoral threshold from two to four per cent. If the proposal becomes law, it would mean fewer individual parties in the Knesset which some argue would lead to more stable governments.