Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has been handed the mandate to form the country's next government following an inconclusive election that left neither the governing bloc nor the opposition with a clear parliamentary majority. The president's decision to task Eisenkot with assembling a coalition came after consultations with party leaders, and it places the retired general at the centre of efforts to break the political deadlock. Eisenkot, who entered politics relatively recently after a distinguished military career, must now navigate a fragmented Knesset in which several parties hold enough seats to influence the outcome of coalition talks.
The central question is whether Eisenkot can unite a divided opposition that has so far struggled to present a common front. Rival party leaders have expressed competing demands over cabinet posts and policy priorities, while disagreements over issues ranging from security to social policy continue to complicate negotiations. Eisenkot has limited time to secure a majority, and failure would likely return the country to the polls. Analysts say his prospects depend on bridging personal and ideological divides among opposition factions, and on whether potential partners are willing to compromise rather than risk another election.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.