Israeli opposition leader tapped to form new goverment

Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) party arrives at the Israeli President's residence in Jerusalem on May 5, 2021. (AFP)

• President Reuven Rivlin announced his decision on live television
• Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition by midnight deadline

JERUSALEM: Israel’s president has tapped opposition leader Yair Lapid to form a new government — a step that could lead to the end of the lengthy rule of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Reuven Rivlin announced his decision on live television a day after Netanyahu failed to cobble together a governing coalition by a midnight deadline.
Rivlin spent the day consulting with all of the parties elected to Israel’s parliament and announced late Wednesday that he believes Lapid has the best chance of forming a coalition.
Lapid, whose late father was a Cabinet minister and who himself is a veteran journalist and politician, now has four weeks to reach a deal with potential partners.
While Lapid faces a difficult task, he now has the chance to make history by ending the reign of Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. Netanyahu has held the post for a total of 15 years, including the past 12.