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Two weeks after the parliamentary elections in Israel, President Reuven Rivlin reassigned the right-wing conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government.
Rivlin placed the order on Tuesday with a speech at his official residence in Jerusalem.
The President stressed that none of the MPs currently have a majority in Parliament.
Netanyahu has slightly better chances than others.
Given the corruption process against the head of government, it was not an easy decision to appoint him again to form the government, said Rivlin.
The 71-year-old Netanyahu had previously received the most referrals during the party leaders' consultations with Rivlin: 52 MPs expressed their support.
His rival, opposition leader Jair Lapid, received recommendations from 45 MPs.
Lapid's future party is located in the political center.
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However, neither Netanyahu's camp nor his opponents have a majority in parliament with 120 seats.
That is why the formation of a government remains uncertain even after the fourth parliamentary election within four years.
The candidate appointed by the president has four weeks to form a coalition and can apply for a two-week extension.
Difficult and lengthy coalition talks are now ahead in the country.
Another election this year is not ruled out.
Corruption trial against Netanyahu is ongoing
A corruption case is underway against Netanyahu, charged with fraud, embezzlement and bribery.
The head of government speaks of a witch hunt and accuses the public prosecutor of an "attempted coup" against him.
The 57-year-old Lapid called for the formation of a broad government without Netanyahu on Monday evening.
Netanyahu had proven with his statements that he had become dangerous for the country.
Lapid offered Naftali Bennett of the far-right Jamina party a coalition with rotation in the office of prime minister.
He was ready to let Bennett go first.