Posted on 05/05/21
According to Basic Law: The Government (2001), MK Yair Lapid, whom the president entrusted with forming a government this evening, Wednesday 5 May / 23 Iyyar, has 28 days, beginning tomorrow and that cannot be extended, to do so.
If MK Lapid does not form a government, or if he informs the president that he is unable to form a government, or if he presents a government to the Knesset and it does not gain the Knesset’s confidence, a majority (61) of Knesset Members may request, in writing, that the president entrust a Knesset Member that they nominate and that agrees to do so in writing, to form a government. That candidate would have 21 days to do so. If such a request is made, the president must entrust the nominated Knesset Member with the task of forming a government within two days, and the Knesset Member nominated by a majority of Knesset Members would have 14 days to do so, without the possibility of extension.
If such a request is not submitted by a majority of Knesset Members, or if the Knesset Member nominated by a majority of Knesset Members does not form a government, or if the Knesset Member informs the president that they are unable to form a government, or if the government is presented to the Knesset and does not gain the Knesset’s confidence, the Knesset will dissolve before the end of its term and elections will be held.
Timetable:
• Wednesday 5 May / 23 Iyyar – MK Yair Lapid entrusted with forming a government.
• Wednesday 2 Ju*ne / 22 Nissan (midnight) – end of the 28 days allotted to form a government.