Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday asked Opposition leader Yair Lapid to form a new government, after beleaguered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to meet a midnight deadline of forming a coalition.
President Rivlin's announcement on live television gave opposition a chance to end lengthy rule of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is at the helm of politics since 2009 — becoming Israel's longest-serving premier. Lapid, 57, now has four weeks to build a coalition.
Earlier in the day, President Rivlin met with Yesh Atid party's chairman, Lapid, and Yamina party's chairman, Naftali Bennett at the President's Residence.
At his request, the rest of the party leaders submitted their recommendations for the second mandate.