Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Israeli centrist Yashar party, will receive the mandate for forming the new government, as last month’s parliamentary elections did not produce a clear winner.

Israel’s president, Isaac Herzeg, has decided that the task of creating the government is entrusted with Eisenkotti, the president’s office announced on Saturday evening.

The decision was made following consultations Herzeg held over the past few days with representatives of political forces, including Eisenkot himself and his main rival, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to the official announcement, parties representing a total of 67 Knesset deputies, the Israeli parliament, supported Eisenkotti, while 46 MPs voiced support for Netanyah.

The president has invited Yashari’s leader to the presidential residence for the signing ceremony, which is expected to be held on Sunday, is broadcasting Telegrafi.

According to procedures in Israel, the candidate receiving the mandate has 28 days to form the government. The president could extend this deadline for another 14 days, if necessary.

If the first attempt fails, the president could entrust the mandate to another candidate, who has a maximum of 28 days to secure the necessary support.

If even the second attempt fails, Knesset may demand that a third candidate take the opportunity to form the government, with a 14-day deadline. If none of these efforts succeed, the country goes to new elections.

Eisencott, former Israeli Army chief, has vowed to do everything to form the new government.

However, neither his bloc nor Netanyah’s could secure a majority in the 120-seat parliament.

Netanyah’s bloc won 53 mandates, while party-led opposition Yashar secured 48 seats. The rightist Likud party, led by Netanyah, remained the largest political force with 27 mandates.

Meanwhile, Arab parties managed to secure a total of 19 seats in parliament — a record score.

The developments come after Netanyah called on Saturday for the establishment of a national unity government, in an effort to overcome the political stalemate after the elections. /Telegraphy/

Source Layer: Insander