After Israel's election produced no clear winner, President Isaac Herzog must designate the lawmaker who will begin government-formation efforts, a choice that may influence coalition bargaining, The Straits Times reported.
Arab party backing may prove relevant to Herzog's assignment, The Straits Times reported. The paper counted 48 seats for Eisenkot's grouping and 53 for the bloc aligned with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu; Likud itself won 27.
Herzog's selection would open the next stage of negotiations but would not by itself ensure a government can be formed.
The Straits Times reported that Herzog urged political leaders on Nov. 4 to find common ground over forming a government. It said he is expected to pursue an agreement with a wide base of support in an effort to avoid another election.
The newspaper described Israel's presidency as largely ceremonial and said Herzog has spent five years working to ease political divisions. It said his choice could heighten tensions on one side of the country's political divide.
The newspaper also raised whether a possible pardon for Netanyahu might enter political bargaining, calling the prospect controversial. It reported that failed talks over judicial overhaul and other divisive decisions have also prompted questions about Herzog.
In earlier EconoTimes reporting on Netanyahu's coalition options, Efron pointed to sharp ideological divides, disagreement over Arab participation and a Jewish electorate that has shifted right. Her possible paths included a fresh election, a unity government or Netanyahu gaining support from opposition partners.
Herzog's pending assignment will determine who leads the first effort to build a government.
