Israel’s president on Wednesday formally nominated Benjamin Netanyahu for a fourth consecutive term as prime minister, officially launching a process that is expected to result in a new government in the coming weeks.

In one of the president’s few non-ceremonial roles, President Reuven Rivlin tasked Netanyahu with assembling a governing coalition within 42 days.

The move was widely expected after Netanyahu’s Likud party and its right-wing allies captured a majority of seats in the Knesset elections last week.

In a joint appearance after the two leaders signed and presented the official nomination, Rivlin called on Netanyahu to “heal the wounds and rifts” laid bare in Israeli society by the bruising election campaign.

Netanyahu said he was “moved” to accept his fifth nomination as prime minister “as though it’s the first time, and in a certain way, even more than the first time.”

He said he would “do everything to earn the trust that the citizens of Israel have bestowed on me.”

In a post-election ritual, Rivlin hosted consultations with party leaders this week to hear their recommendations for who should serve as the next prime minister.

Netanyahu’s nationalist and religious allies all lobbied for Netanyahu to continue as prime minister. The last one to hold out, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman of the hawkish Yisrael Beitenu party, formally confirmed his support for Netanyahu late Monday.

Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc — made up of Kulanu, the Union of Right Wing Parties, Yisrael Beitenu and the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism — now commands a 65-55 majority in the 120-seat parliament.

In the coming weeks, Netanyahu will have to negotiate coalition deals with his partners, who will jockey for powerful Cabinet posts with large and influential budgets.

In a matter of months, Netanyahu will officially become Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, surpassing David Ben-Gurion, the country’s founding father.

Full Text & Video of the meeting between Rivlin and Netanyahu:

The President said in his speech the following:

“In a democracy, the majority decides. In these elections, the majority have spoken. After consultations with the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Deputy Supreme Court President Melcer, I began consultations with representatives of the parties even before the publication of the official and final results. We certainly took into account the possibility that there would be changes in the allocation of seats, but the overall picture was clear. After speaking with representatives from all of the parties elected to the Knesset, in meetings which were for the first time open and transparent to the public, I hereby declare that 65 members of Knesset recommended that the current Prime Minister and Member of the Knesset Benjamin Netanyahu be the person entrusted with forming the government.”

Speaking Directly to Netanyahu Rivlin said: “Sir, today you receive the letter of appointment to form the government. For the fifth time, you have secured the support of these dear people who live on their own land. You have the responsibility to form a government at a time when it and the incoming Knesset face weighty responsibilities, coalition and opposition together. Strengthening and developing Israel’s security and diplomatic standing in the face of challenges on different fronts, and also in light of the opportunities we may face. In addition, narrowing and closing the gaps in our society. The strength of our economy and our society is the key to our strength in security and diplomacy. Only an Israel that is strong from within projects strength outwards. In addition, the healing of wounds and fissures that have opened among us is also of utmost importance. This was a tough election campaign. Things were said that should not have been said, from all sides. Not in a democratic state and not in the Jewish state. The iron wall should be between us and our enemies, not inside our own home, not between us. ‘Us and them’ is over. From now on, it’s just ‘us’.

“Now is the time to stop fighting ‘them’ and to start fighting to regain belief in ‘us’. To fight for our home, a place where secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox, Jews and Arabs, left and right can find their place – as equal partners. All parties in the Knesset are responsible for this, and you above all, Mr. Prime Minister, bear this responsibility.”

“Unfortunately, this Knesset will have far fewer women than the previous Knesset. We have lost vital women’s representation in the Knesset and the government. I hope that the new Knesset and government will include women ministers and committee chairs, and ensure that the voice of women is present and clearly heard, on the issues themselves and as a message to the public.”

“On a personal note, I was deeply touched by the wishes and prayers from representatives of all parties for the recovery of Nechama, my wife. Their words came from the heart and touched my heart, as did the sense of unity across the political spectrum of concern for her health and hopes for her recovery.”

“My fellow citizens, together with the whole Israeli people, I pray for the success and flourishing of the State of Israel and of Israeli society.”

“Let me also take this opportunity to wish all of the people of Israel a happy and kosher Pesach. I would like to send a special blessing to those in public service who deal with the needs of us all faithfully, and to the members of the security forces across all the various organizations and bodies who are on guard day and night, hour by hour. Happy Pesach! God bless you all,” President Rivlin concluded.

After receiving the letter, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “This is the fifth time that I have accepted the task of establishing the Israeli government. There is no greater privilege in democratic life, and I am as excited as I was the first time I received it. In a certain way, much more than the first time.”

“I am well aware of the magnitude of the responsibility placed on my shoulders and will act as the emissary of the people with all its parts – those who chose me and those who did not choose me,” Netanyahu added.