JERUSALEM: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has chosen opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, giving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition after last month’s inconclusive election.
Herzog informed Eisenkot of his decision on Saturday after consultations with political parties represented in the Knesset. He is scheduled to formally hand him the mandate at a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday.
Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israel Defense Forces and leader of the centrist Yashar party, has 28 days to form a government. Herzog can grant an extension of up to 14 days.
The October 27 election left no bloc with a parliamentary majority. Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the four-party grouping led by Eisenkot won 48. The two Arab-led parties together hold 19 seats and have backed Eisenkot.
The support gives Eisenkot the largest number of recommendations from lawmakers, but forming a coalition remains difficult. He has faced resistance within his own bloc to relying on Arab parties for parliamentary support. Other possible arrangements include cooperation with ultra-Orthodox parties or a broader unity government.
Netanyahu has called for a national unity government and warned against a coalition dependent on Arab-led parties. Eisenkot, however, has ruled out serving in a government led by Netanyahu.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government within the allotted period, Herzog may give another lawmaker an opportunity. A failure to secure a coalition could eventually lead to another election.
With input from media reports.
