The political impasse that emerged from Tuesday's Knesset election, in which no clear winner emerged, means that Israel will likely face several weeks or months of political uncertainty.
This means that everything will ultimately boil down to political procedures, to the point that the Knesset may once again be dissolved because the clock had run out.
Here is how things might unfold.
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When will we start seeing talks on forming a government?
Under the law, the Central Elections Committee will certify the results next week, on Sept. 25, and then President Reuven Rivlin will consult with MKs in order to see who has the most support to serve as prime minister.
How much time do the consultations last?
The law stipulates that consultations must end within seven days, meaning Oct. 2, at which point he has to tap one of the MKs that has the best chance of forming a government.
How much time does a designated prime minister get to form a government?
The MK gets 28 days to court other parties and win a confidence vote in the Knesset for his government. If he fails to do so, the president may grant an extension of up to 14 days.
What happens if the designated prime minister fails to win a confidence vote after an extension is granted?
The president then has to consult with parties and task another MK with the job of forming a government. That person will get 28 days, and if he or she fails, they will have to inform the Knesset speaker. After that, MKs are allowed to send a letter to the president and ask him to assign another MK who has agreed to do so. So long as at least 61 MKs sign that letter, the president must heed their request.
What if that person fails as well?
In this case the president should inform the Knesset speaker that there is no viable option of forming a government. This will automatically trigger an early election within 90 days.
