Rivlin will task candidate with forming government by April 7

President Reuven Rivlin’s office presents a timetable for post-election consultations, which will ultimately see a candidate tasked with forming a coalition by April 7.

Rivlin will begin consultations with parties and gather their endorsements for the next prime minister from March 31 until April 7, with the latter date the final day on which he can announce the candidate chosen to form a government.

From then, the candidate will have 28 days to clinch a coalition, with the option of asking for another 14-day extension. If the party leader fails to form a government, the mandate returns to the president, who can nominate another candidate and give them 28 days to cobble together a coalition. If the second candidate fails as well, politicians can gather 61 signatures to endorse a third prospective premier. If all cannot muster a majority government, another election is called.

President Reuven Rivlin speaks at a swearing-in ceremony for new judges at the President’s Residence, Jerusalem, January 26, 2021. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)