Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins consultations to form a partnership government with his former opponent Benny Gantz, under a power-sharing deal that allowed a year-long political deadlock after three inconclusive elections.
Yesterday, the Israeli President appointed two heads of Rivlin ministers to form a new government, after the Knesset approved by a majority of 72 deputies out of a total of 120, compared to 36 deputies, legislation authorizing the formation of a coalition government according to the rotation rule over its presidency.
The Likud leader will have two weeks to present his cabinet lineup to the Knesset for confidence.
Under the power-sharing agreement with Gantz, Netanyahu is to head the unity government in the first term, before handing over the presidency to blue-white party leader Benny Gantz.
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The Israeli Supreme Court had unanimously rejected all petitions submitted to it to prevent Netanyahu from chairing the government, despite accusations of corruption against him.
After the Supreme Court decision, Netanyahu and Gantz announced the inauguration of the national unity government for a period of four years, and a vote on it to take the oath of ministers next Wednesday, with Netanyahu to be - first by rotation - as prime minister, and Gantz as defense minister and acting prime minister.
The power-sharing agreement came under criticism from Israeli parties that it considered to cover corruption and encourage impunity, noting the accusations leveled against the current prime minister, whose trial is expected to begin late this month.
On the other hand, assigning Netanyahu to form the new government will allow him to proceed with his plan to annex new parts of the West Bank with American support.