Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is close to forming a government, six weeks after elections from which his rightist Likud-Beiteinu alliance emerged as a weakened winner, DPA reported.
A breakthrough was reached in coalition negotiations Wednesday with the centrist Yesh Atid party of former television host Yair Lapid and the pro-settler Jewish Home of former high-tech entrepreneur Naftali Bennett, Israel Radio reported.
The three parties agreed upon a compromise regarding who should receive the education and other key portfolios in the incoming government, the broadcaster reported.
Netanyahu was set to meet with Bennett and Lapid late Wednesday and a formal coalition agreement could be signed overnight or Thursday.
The 63-year-old nationalist has until Saturday night to form a coalition.