Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is scheduled to announce the name of the candidate charged with trying to form a new government on Tuesday, April 6, after consultations with political parties that appeared to place incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the frontrunner for this campaign. mission.

Reuven Rivlin, as head of state, however, has complete latitude to appoint a prime minister-designate.

He said on Monday that "ethical considerations" could come into play, a likely reference to the corruption charges for which Benjamin Netanyahu is currently on trial.

Last month's parliamentary elections, the fourth in Israel in three years, resulted in a new political stalemate, with neither Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative alliance nor the potential alliance of his rivals securing enough seats to win a seat. a parliamentary majority.

This impasse remained without a solution despite the marathon discussions initiated by Reuven Rivlin with all the parties represented in the Knesset.

End of consultations

A spokesperson for the Israeli president said the round of consultations was over and a decision would be announced on Tuesday.

Benjamin Netanyahu received a recommendation from 52 of the 120 elected Knesset officials, while Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, won 45 supporters and Naftali Bennett, of the far-right Yamina party, Sept.

>> To read on France24.com: Israel: Naftali Bennett, the nationalist leader on whom the future of Benjamin Netanyahu depends

Three parties, holding a total of 16 seats, refused to choose a candidate during their interview with Reuven Rivlin.

Benjamin Netanyahu recently called on Naftali Bennett and another former ally, Gideon Saar, to join him in breaking the deadlock.

However, Bennett has refused to make a firm commitment to Netanyahu, with whom he has a troubled relationship, and Saar has indicated that he does not want to be part of a Netanyahu government, citing corruption accusations against the latter.

With AFP

>> Read also on France24.com: Mansour Abbas, an Islamist at the heart of the Israeli legislative elections

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