Israeli President Isaac Herzog reportedly gave opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government following the October 27 elections, dealing a political setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Eisenkot leads the Yashar party and celebrated the initial exit polls by waving an Israeli flag onstage.

To secure parliamentary confidence, he must assemble a coalition backed by at least 61 of the Knesset’s 120 members.

Negotiations with other parties are expected to be complex, and his ability to secure a majority remains uncertain.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces the possibility of losing the premiership.