Herzog Names Eisenkot as Primary Coalition Builder After Oct. 27 Vote

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on Sunday that he will task Gadi Eisenkot with forming a governing coalition. Herzog gave the opposition leader the first mandate to negotiate a government following the general elections held on Oct. 27. This decision places the former defense chief in the primary role of assembling a cabinet before the next round of talks begins.

Herzog’s choice prioritizes Eisenkot’s potential to build a consensus over the sheer number of seats held by other blocs. The move sets the stage for formal negotiations among various Knesset factions. Eisenkot must now approach parties that may have initially supported rival candidates to secure a majority. The timeline for these talks has not been publicly defined by the presidential office.

The announcement follows a fragmented election result that left no single party with an automatic path to power. Political analysts in Jerusalem are watching how Eisenkot structures his outreach to centrist and right-wing groups. The success of this attempt will determine whether Israel holds a second round of elections or forms a new government by early next year.

Eisenkot’s team has begun preliminary contacts with party leaders within hours of the announcement. The former military commander is expected to present a detailed plan to Herzog after completing these initial discussions. The president will evaluate the feasibility of the proposed coalition based on the number of seats secured. This process marks the beginning of the final steps in Israel’s current political cycle.