- Title: Netanyahu rival Gantz to be named on Wednesday to try to form next Israeli gov't
- Date: 22nd October 2019
- Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (FILE - SEPTEMBER 18, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GANTZ WALKING UP TO STAGE AND HUGGING HIS CO-LEADERS
- Embargoed: 5th November 2019 18:15
- Keywords: Israel politics election former military chief Benny Ganz Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Location: SOUTHERN ISRAEL, TEL AVIV AND ROSH HA'AYIN, ISRAEL/ JERUSALEM
- City: SOUTHERN ISRAEL, TEL AVIV AND ROSH HA'AYIN, ISRAEL/ JERUSALEM
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA007B26KNYF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will on Wednesday (October 23) task centrist politician Benny Gantz with trying to form the next coalition government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed, Rivlin's office said on Tuesday (October 22).
Netanyahu, a fourth-term conservative whose party tied with Gantz's in a September election, told Rivlin on Monday (October 21) that he was giving up on forming the government after failing to win support from a majority of parliament.
For the first time in a decade, someone other than Netanyahu will be asked to form a government in Israel.
The 70-year-old prime minister has called two elections this year, has twice been given the chance by the president to put together a ruling coalition, and has twice failed.
Rivlin will on Wednesday turn to Gantz, leaving Netanyahu even more vulnerable in his fight for political survival.
But although he has failed, Gantz - a former general and political novice - also has no clear path to success.
Gantz's Blue and White party said in a statement it was "determined to form a liberal unity government."
Netanyahu, in power for the past decade and 13 years in total, has seen his political strength wane as he faces a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies. Gantz, a former military chief, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges.
Likud placed second in the September ballot with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, behind 33 for Blue and White.
(Production: Eli Berlzon, Rami Amichay, Dadi Hayoun, Lee Marzel) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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