Now the opposition leader should give it a try: Israeli President Rivlin has tasked Lapid with forming a government.
Because Netanyahu failed.
Tel Aviv (dpa) - After Benjamin Netanyahu's * failed attempt, Israel's President Reuven Rivlin reassigned the contract to form a government. The previous opposition leader Jair Lapid from the Future Party is now to form a coalition, as the presidential office announced on Wednesday evening. Rivlin said Lapid had received recommendations from 56 MPs. Naftali Bennett of the ultra-right Jamina party, who like Lapid previously requested the mandate to form a government, received only seven recommendations. The parliament, the Knesset, has 120 members.
Lapid said, "I will do everything I can to ensure that an Israeli unity government is formed as soon as possible so that we can start working for the citizens of Israel." However, to get a majority of 61 MPs, he would have to have a number of parties and unite lists that are far apart in the political spectrum.
According to observers, this should not be easy.
A new election is still not ruled out.
Israel's President awards new mandate to form a government - alliance sought without Netanyahu's participation
The 57-year-old had entered politics after a career as a television presenter.
He served as finance minister in a previous Netanyahu government.
Now he is striving for an alliance without Netanyahu's participation.
In the last election, the Future Party had become the second strongest force behind the right-wing conservative Likud.
Israel * is in a political crisis.
The fourth parliamentary election within two years in March again failed to result in a clear majority.
The party landscape is very fragmented.
Politically, Israel does not come to rest: Netanyahu fails to form a new government
Netanyahu was the first politician to receive the mandate to form a government.
However, the 71-year-old did not succeed.
He gave up his mandate shortly before a deadline on Wednesday night.
He has been Prime Minister for twelve years and the longest-serving head of government in the country's history.
The candidate appointed by the president has four weeks to form a coalition and can apply for a two-week extension.
Should there be a new election, Netanyahu might also have the chance to become prime minister again.
(dpa) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
