Israeli President Isaac Herzog has selected opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot for the first chance to try to form a government after last month’s election left no bloc with a parliamentary majority. The formal mandate is due to be presented at a ceremony later Sunday, according to the president’s office.

A difficult path to a majority

The 120-seat Knesset requires at least 61 members to support a government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while parties aligned with Eisenkot won 48; Arab-led parties hold the remaining 19. Herzog said he chose Eisenkot because consultations suggested he had the better chance of assembling a coalition. The decision does not guarantee that Eisenkot will become prime minister.

Factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot to the president, compared with 46 who recommended Netanyahu; seven lawmakers did not endorse either candidate. The next step is negotiation with parties whose cooperation may be needed to reach the 61-seat threshold.

Eisenkot faces competing demands, including disagreements over military-service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox parties and whether Arab-led parties can support a coalition. He has 28 days after receiving the mandate to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. If he fails, another candidate could be asked to try.

Netanyahu and his cabinet remain in a caretaker role while talks proceed. The coalition negotiations will determine whether Israel gets a new government or returns to another round of political bargaining.

Sources: Associated Press; Reuters (republished by Investing.com); Office of the President of Israel.