Jerusalem, Nov 08 (V7N)- Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot will be given the responsibility of forming the country's next government, following consultations with political parties elected to the Knesset.
Herzog announced his decision on Saturday (November 7), saying he had informed Eisenkot of his intention to appoint him. The president has invited the opposition leader to his official residence in Jerusalem on Sunday (November 8) to formally hand him the mandate.
During consultations with representatives of the newly elected Knesset, factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot for the premiership, while groups representing 46 lawmakers backed incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another faction, comprising seven members, did not recommend either candidate.
Neither Netanyahu's governing bloc nor Eisenkot's opposition alliance secured a majority in last week's parliamentary election.
According to the official election results, Netanyahu's Likud party won 27 seats, while Eisenkot's Yashar party secured 21 in the 120-member Knesset. The governing coalition holds 53 seats, while the opposition bloc has 48. Arab-led parties secured the remaining 19 seats.
What happens if government formation fails?
Under Israel's Basic Law, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government after formally receiving the mandate. The president may grant an extension of up to 14 additional days if necessary.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government within the permitted period, or informs the president that he cannot succeed, Herzog may assign the task to another member of the Knesset or declare that no further attempt is possible.
A second candidate given the mandate will have 28 days to form a government, without the possibility of an extension.
If that attempt also fails, a further 21-day period may begin, during which at least 61 lawmakers can jointly ask the president to nominate a specific member of parliament to form a government. The nominated lawmaker will then have 14 days to complete the task.
If all these efforts fail, the Knesset may be dissolved and another parliamentary election held. In the meantime, the outgoing government will continue serving in a caretaker capacity.
Israel has historically relied on coalition governments because no single political party has secured an outright parliamentary majority on its own.
Eisenkot now faces the challenge of bringing together political groups with differing positions to secure the support needed to establish a new government.
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