Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Saturday he will task former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government after the opposition leader received a majority of recommendations from party leaders.
“The President informed the leader of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, of his intention to task him with forming a government,” Herzog’s office said in a statement.
The formal appointment will take place in an official ceremony on Sunday at the president’s residence in Jerusalem, the statement added.
Eisenkot, a rival of caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, secured recommendations from a majority of lawmakers following consultations held after the October 27 parliamentary election. Reports indicated Eisenkot received backing from about 67 Knesset members, compared with 46 for Netanyahu.
The election left no clear governing majority, with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc falling short and Eisenkot’s centrist and opposition allies, including potential support from Arab parties, positioning him to attempt coalition-building.
Eisenkot will have a limited period to assemble a government capable of securing the confidence of the Knesset.
