Rivlin won’t extend Gantz’s mandate to form new government

President Reuven Rivlin won’t grant Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz a 14-day extension to form a government when his deadline to do so expires tomorrow night, his office announces.

Rivlin makes the decision after speaking with Gantz and Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu, who according to a statement from the President’s Residence said the parties were not close to signing a coalition agreement.

“If the two do not sign an agreement by midnight tomorrow, and if the number of recommendations for each candidate does not change, the task of forming the government will return to the Knesset and a period of 21 days will begin during which Knesset members can form a majority to recommend an agreed-on candidate to form a government, who would have 14 days to do so,” the statement says.

It adds: “If, during the remaining initial time given to Gantz to form a government, the circumstances change and the two sides come to the president with a request for an extension in order to help them come to an agreement, the president will reconsider his decision.”