Israel president nominates Benjamin Netanyahu to try to form government

Israel's president nominated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday to try to form a government following the latest inconclusive election, but voiced doubt that any candidate can forge a majority coalition.

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"I have come to a decision based on the numbers of recommendations (from lawmakers), which indicates that Benjamin Netanyahu has a slightly higher chance of forming a government," President Reuven Rivlin said.

But he stressed that his talks with party representatives had indicated that "no candidate has a realistic chance" of an absolute parliamentary majority.