There are many who feel that President Shimon Peres, with his vast political experience is the right man for the job with the dilemma facing the political community following the elections.

Peres has already announced he will meet with party leaders only following the release of the final official numbers. Mr. Peres will most likely meet with party leaders on Wednesday, 18 February, at which time they will make their recommendation regarding the mandate to form the next government. While Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu are both claiming victory, only one can receive the mandate to form a government and analysts agree, that for Netanyahu, this task will be easier, although not a piece of cake.

Generally speaking, the presidential mandate in given to the largest party, but in this case, the second largest party is more likely to produce the desired results, the formation of a government coalition. In addition, generally speaking, the parties usually recommend the largest party so there is no discrepancy, but in this case, the rules do not seem to apply. This was the case to some degree when a rotation government was set up with both Yitzchak Shamir and Shimon Peres rotating the premiership some 20 years ago.

Some of the nation’s legal experts state the president may use his discretion and his is not compelled to give the mandate to the largest party.

If one of the candidates however can present a majority coalition to the president, Mr. Peres would most likely have no other alternative but to give that candidate the mandate.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)