Israel's president has asked opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot to form the country's next government, according to RTVE.es and El Confidencial. The move places him in direct rivalry with Benjamin Netanyahu, the incumbent prime minister.
Following the designation, Eisenkot repeated his call for an administration built around what EL PAÍS describes as a "national emergency," arguing that Israel urgently needs new leadership. He also extended an invitation to Netanyahu's party to join a governing coalition, El Mundo reports.
According to elDiario.es, Eisenkot made the same appeal for a national emergency government after being chosen to head the new executive. El Confidencial quoted him as saying it is a time to build bridges.
The reports do not specify the terms he has offered Netanyahu's party or how it has responded. The mandate to assemble a coalition now rests with Eisenkot, and the coming days will show whether his outreach to his rival's party produces a workable government or a fresh election.
