Israel is facing the growing prospect of an unprecedented fourth election in just over a year after a deadline to form a government expired.
Its president passed the mandate to parliament after centre-left bloc leader Benny Gantz failed to seal talks to form a unity government in time.
If no-one else gets nominated within 21 days, new elections will be held by 4 August.
Israel has been in a political crisis after three inconclusive rounds.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party won more seats than Mr Gantz's Blue and White in the most recent elections, Mr Gantz was backed by a thin majority of lawmakers and given the mandate to form a government.
However, Mr Gantz, former chief of staff of the Israeli defence forces, struggled to put together a governing coalition and, with the country in the grip of the coronavirus crisis, agreed to national unity talks with Mr Netanyahu.
Despite days of on-off negotiations, the two sides have been unable to strike a deal, although a joint statement said talks would continue.
Stumbling block
The discussions are believed to be stuck on a dispute over Mr Netanyahu's support for legislation to allow the government to overrule High Court decisions, including forcing him to resign.
The prime minister has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
He was meant to go on trial earlier this month, but it was postponed when the courts were ordered closed (apart from in certain cases)Read More – Source
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65543002/bbc_logo_red.0.jpg){kind=logo}