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By Bernard Moerdler,
Israel's Central Elections Committee ratified the results of the election for the 26th Knesset today, with 15 members voting in favor, two against and 14 abstaining, according to Ynet. Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg delivered the official results to President Isaac Herzog at noon.
The committee said its review found no irregularities indicating that the election had been compromised or the results altered. Sohlberg said the foreign interference suspicions remain under investigation, but that their impact, even if substantiated, would be limited. He stressed that the election results must be respected.
Herzog will begin government formation consultations at 5 p.m. Israel time with representatives of Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party, according to the updated schedule published by Ynet. Shas follows at 6:15 p.m., Yisrael Beiteinu at 7:30 p.m. and Moshe Feiglin's Zehut at 8:45 p.m. Zehut will meet the president separately despite running on a joint electoral list with Religious Zionism.
Tomorrow, Herzog will meet United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, the Democrats and Ra'am in the morning, followed by the Joint List and B'Yachad later in the day. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar is scheduled for 7:15 p.m., with Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud last at 8:30 p.m. Herzog is beginning with the smaller parties before hearing from the largest factions.
Each delegation will recommend a candidate to form the next government. Speaking at today's handover, Herzog urged parties to show flexibility over campaign commitments to avoid another election.
Under Basic Law: The Government, Herzog must assign the task within seven days of publication of the official results. The chosen lawmaker receives 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of up to 14 days. The outgoing government continues serving until a new government takes office.
Topics: Israeli Politics
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.