Netanyahu rival Eisenkot to be tasked with forming new government following Israeli elections
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, has been tasked with forming a new Israeli government following legislative elections that produced no clear winner.
The decision was announced by the president's office on Saturday evening following days of consultations with political figures.
Herzog has invited Eisenkot to the presidential residence for a ceremony to confer the mandate, which will take place tomorrow.
Eisenkot, a former military chief, has vowed to "do everything" to form a new government.
Deadlocked parliament
Factions totalling 67 members of the Knesset backed Eisenkot, while 46 supported Netanyahu.
Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party remained the largest single party, with 27 seats, while Arab parties secured a record 19 seats.
Process and next steps
A candidate tasked with forming a government has 28 days to carry out the job, a deadline the president can extend by a maximum of 14 days.
Should that fail, the president can give a second leader a chance to form a government, this time with a maximum deadline of 28 days.
If this second round also fails, the Knesset can request a third candidate be given a go, with a 14-day deadline, or another election can be called.
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