Full coverage· Politics· Updated 5 Nov, 22:15

Israel's President to Announce Mandate for Government Formation Sunday

President Isaac Herzog announced on Thursday that he will assign the mandate to form Israel's next government on Sunday, following two days of consultations with all political factions elected to the 26th Knesset.

4 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 5 Nov, 21:40

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Israel's President to Announce Mandate for Government Formation Sunday — Illustration by baba

What happened

01President Isaac Herzog will assign the mandate to form the next Israeli government on Sunday.
02Gadi Eisenkot received 67 recommendations from Knesset members, while Benjamin Netanyahu received 46.
03Seven of the elected Knesset members chose not to recommend either candidate for the mandate.
04President Herzog stated that mutual disqualifications and vetoes between and within political blocs complicate coalition building.
05The President emphasized his legal duty is to assess each candidate's actual ability to form a government.
06President Herzog plans to hold direct talks with party leaders before making his final decision.

During the consultations, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, received recommendations from 67 Knesset members, while Likud leader and outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received 46 recommendations. The remaining seven lawmakers did not recommend either candidate.

Despite Eisenkot's lead, President Herzog emphasized that his legal authority is to assess each candidate's actual ability to form a coalition, rather than just counting recommendations. He noted that mutual vetoes and irreconcilable disagreements between and within political blocs make it unclear who can successfully assemble a stable government.

To resolve these uncertainties, President Herzog plans to hold further direct and rapid discussions with party leaders over the coming days before making his final decision on Sunday.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 02:51

Latest report: NEWSru Israel. Read NEWSru Israel’s original