Rivlin tasks Gantz with forming next government

President Reuven Rivlin tasks Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz with forming a government on Wednesday evening, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier this week he was unable to do so.

Rivlin officially mandates Gantz with the task at a ceremony at his residence in Jerusalem.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz (L) is officially tasked by President Reuven Rivlin (R) to form the next coalition, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on October 23, 2019 (YouTube screenshot)

Gantz will have 28 days to try, and if like Netanyahu he too fails, Rivlin can ask the Knesset to agree on a candidate for prime minister.

If that too does not produce a new government, Israel could face yet another election — a third within a year.

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