Israeli President Isaac Herzog has selected Yashad leader Gadi Eisenkot to try to assemble the country’s next government. The mandate is expected to be formally presented at the presidential residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, November 8.

Radio Liberty reports the decision on Saturday, November 7, following Herzog’s consultations with party leaders and other political figures. Eisenkot received 67 recommendations, compared with 46 for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Eisenkot represents an opposition bloc that won 48 Knesset seats, narrowly trailing Netanyahu’s alliance. No camp secured the 61 votes required for a parliamentary majority, leaving the 19 seats held by Arab parties potentially important to coalition negotiations.

Once he receives the mandate, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a cabinet, with a possible extension of up to 14 days. Failure would allow the president to turn to another politician, most likely Netanyahu, while an additional unsuccessful attempt could lead to the Knesset’s dissolution and another election.