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| - Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday tasked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with forming a government, potentially drawing a line under a year of political deadlock. Here is a recap of the saga: On December 24, 2018, Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party announces that all the parties in the ruling coalition have agreed to hold legislative elections in April 2019. Two days later, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, votes to dissolve itself. In polls on April 9, 2019, Netanyahu -- Israel's longest serving prime minister, in power since 2009 -- hopes to get re-elected despite being dogged by corruption allegations. Netanyahu's Likud and the Blue and White alliance of ex-military chief and centrist challenger Gantz finish neck-and-neck. Parliament chooses Netanyahu, who is backed by smaller right-wing parties, to try to form a majority government. But after weeks of political bargaining, he is unable to command a majority in the 120-seat parliament. The deadline expires and the Knesset agrees to hold a new election. In the next election on September 17, exit polls show another tight race. Two days later, in a surprise, Netanyahu proposes a unity government to Gantz, who insists he would have to be the prime minister. Official results released on September 25 confirm a deadlock, putting Gantz's party at 33 seats against Likud's 32. Even with their respective allies, neither can muster the 61 seats needed for a majority. President Reuven Rivlin tasks Netanyahu with forming a government within 28 days. Gantz refuses to join Netanyahu, citing his potential indictment on corruption charges. On October 21, Netanyahu announces he has failed. Rivlin hands the task to Gantz. On November 20, Gantz informs Rivlin hours before his deadline that he too has been unable to form a government. The following day, the attorney general charges Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. It is to be the first time a sitting prime minister faces trial in Israel. Netanyahu rejects the charges, saying it is an attempt to remove him from government. On December 11, as the deadline passes for parliament to find a head of government, lawmakers call a new election for March 2, 2020. This time around, Likud wins the most seats -- 36 against 33 for Gantz's party. On March 15, an Israeli court postpones Netanyahu's graft trial amid fears of the spread of the new coronavirus. The following day, Gantz, backed by 61 lawmakers, is nominated to try to form a new government, but fails. On March 26, Gantz is elected parliament speaker, raising fresh hopes of a unity government. On April 16, Rivlin tasks parliament with forming a government after a deadline expires without the two sides reaching agreement. The two camps announce, however, that negotiations have resumed. On April 19, thousands of Israelis demonstrate in Tel Aviv to warn against what they say is the threat the talks pose to democracy. On April 20, with Israel on lockdown against the coronavirus and facing economic crisis, Netanyahu and Gantz announce a deal to form an emergency unity government. The three-year agreement will allow Netanyahu to stay in office for 18 months. Gantz will then take over as premier for another 18 months before Israel heads to a new round of elections. On May 6, Israel's Supreme Court approves the coalition deal between Netanyahu and Gantz. On May 7 the pact is endorsed by lawmakers. Rivlin tasks Netanyahu with forming a new government within 14 days. acm/jmy/par
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