Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday formally handed Benjamin Netanyahu his letter of appointment to start building a coalition government following last week's general election. In a televised ceremony, Rivlin told Netanyahu, that in his consultations with all parties elected to the incoming 120-seat parliament, "65 MPs recommended you."
Rivlin had sounded out delegations from political parties on Monday and Tuesday.
"This is the fifth time I am taking on the task of putting together the government of Israel," Netanyahu responded.
"There is no greater privilege in democratic life."
Netanyahu now has 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of a further two weeks. The results from the April 9 election put Netanyahu on course to become Israel's longest-serving prime minister later this year, surpassing the state's founding father David Ben-Gurion. The 69-year-old's first task will be to reconcile divergent demands from his likely coalition partners.
Netanyahu's outgoing government was seen as the most right-wing in Israel's history, and the next is expected to be similar if not further to the right.
The coming months are also expected to see the unveiling of US President Donald Trump's long-awaited plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Trump has shown no sign so far that he would be willing to make significant demands of his close ally Netanyahu in connection with his plan, though even minor concessions to the Palestinians could lead to criticism from the Israeli premier's far-right coalition partners.