Israel president opens talks as rivals struggle to form government

Jerusalem: Israel's President Isaac Herzog, widely known for his unassuming and mild demeanor, is set to make a crucial decision on the selection of the individual who will form the next coalition government. Neither the ruling camp led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his rival Gadi Eisenkot's camp has secured a majority in parliament.

As such, Herzog starts consultations on Wednesday with party representatives to identify a candidate with the best chance of forming a government, not necessarily the one with the most seats. According to the law, the president, whose role is primarily ceremonial, has extensive discretion and no specific guidelines on how to make the choice.

Herzog has expressed his intention to avoid a new election and has vowed not to let outside influence, such as that of US President Donald Trump, sway his decision. He stated, "It's Israel's democracy and Israel's constitution, and that's what counts for me." Herzog, who is 66 years old, was sworn in as Israel's president in 2021 after being elected by lawmakers in a landslide.