Israel's president to name who will try to form the next government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to announce on Sunday whom he will ask to form Israel's next government, after consultations with every party elected to the Knesset.

Former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, received recommendations from 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset, against 46 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Ynet. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party decided "not to recommend any Knesset member", backing neither candidate.

Mr Herzog said the results "appear clear on the surface" but that the law requires him to examine whether a candidate can actually form a government.

A difficult path

Mr Eisenkot's majority depends in part on Arab parties, which could cost him the support of others in the opposition, including Avigdor Liberman. Likud minister Yoav Kisch has warned against a government that relies on Arab parties. Allies of Mr Netanyahu have floated a national unity government, an idea rejected by Mr Eisenkot's bloc.

Whoever receives the mandate will have 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. Mr Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister in the meantime.

Sources: Al-Monitor, Congressional Research Service.