Israeli President Isaac Herzog has instructed Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and the primary rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to attempt to form a new government following last month’s deadlocked election.
The mandate follows the Oct. 27 election, in which Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority.
While Netanyahu’s bloc remains the single largest faction in the 120-seat Knesset, neither leader secured an outright majority to govern alone.
Eisenkot entered the coalition talks with the backing of 67 lawmakers, including Israel’s Arab parties, while Netanyahu received 46 endorsements.
Despite the higher tally, Eisenkot’s path to power remains highly precarious; he has repeatedly refused to form a formal coalition government with Arab parties, severely limiting his options for securing a stable majority.
Under Israeli law, Eisenkot now has 28 days to negotiate and assemble a ruling coalition.
If needed, President Herzog can grant a single extension of up to 14 days.
Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister for the duration of the negotiations.
If Eisenkot fails to secure a government within the designated timeline, the president can assign the mandate to another lawmaker or trigger yet another national election.