Rivlin: Consultations will be transparent; Gantz to recommend Lapid

At the opening of consultations with party leaders, President Rivlin says: “The main consideration that will guide me is to give the task of forming the government to the Knesset member with the highest chance of succeeding in forming a government that will be backed by the new Knesset.

“The consultation process will be transparent and open to the public,” he adds.

He starts by meeting with Likud representatives, who will of course recommend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be given first shot.

Meanwhile Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz says his party will be recommending erstwhile partner Yair Lapid.

“We will continue to do everything so that an honest government is formed, and for the mandate not to go to Netanyahu who is entirely concerned with his trial,” he says.