Israeli President Isaac Herzog said late Thursday that he would task a lawmaker with forming the country’s next government on Sunday, after a majority of parliamentarians backed former military chief Gadi Eisenkot for the role.

Herzog made the announcement after concluding consultations with all parties elected to the Knesset in last month’s parliamentary election, which produced no clear winner.

A total of 67 of the 120 members of the Knesset endorsed Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, while 46 backed incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog said.

However, the president cautioned that the outcome was not settled, citing divisions between and within the political blocs.

He said he would hold further talks with party leaders before making his decision.

“I intend to task a member of Knesset with forming the government this coming Sunday,” Herzog said.

Eisenkot, 66, is widely expected to receive the mandate, but securing a parliamentary majority could prove difficult.

Difficult path to a coalition

The Arab-dominated Joint List threw its support behind Eisenkot on Thursday, helping him secure the backing of a majority of lawmakers.

However, that does not guarantee he will succeed in forming a government.

He would likely need the backing of both the Joint List and the separate Ra’am party, which together won 19 seats in the October 27 election, nearly doubling their previous representation.

Two of Eisenkot’s political allies have previously ruled out cooperation with Arab parties, complicating efforts to assemble a coalition.

If tasked with forming a government, Eisenkot would have 28 days to secure a majority, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.

If he fails, another lawmaker could be given 28 days to try. Should that attempt also fail, at least 61 lawmakers would have 21 days to agree on another candidate, who would then receive 14 days to form a government.

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