President Reuven Rivlin tasked Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid today with the mission of composing the next government. Rivlin made his decision after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to compose a majority coalition by the deadline given to him four weeks ago — last night at midnight — and after consulting with heads of the different parties this morning. Speaking in front of the cameras from his official residence in Jerusalem, Rivlin noted that Lapid had secured the recommendations of 56 Knesset members, against seven legislators who recommended Yamina leader Naftali Bennett.
“On the basis of the recommendations I received,” said Rivlin, "I spoke just now with Knesset member Yair Lapid and informed him I am tasking him with the mandate to form a government, whether this is a government that he initially leads, or a government led first by another candidate and in which he initially serves as alternate prime minister."
