Israel's president nominated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday to try to form a government following the latest inconclusive election but voiced doubt that any candidate can forge a majority coalition.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that President Reuven Rivlin stated this.

"I have come to a decision based on the numbers of recommendations (from lawmakers), which indicates that Benjamin Netanyahu has a slightly higher chance of forming a government," President Reuven Rivlin said.

In Rivlin's consultations with party leaders following the March 23 vote, Netanyahu was backed by 52 lawmakers elected to Israel's 120-seat parliament, the Knesset.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid earned 45 endorsements. There were 16 abstentions and right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett secured seven votes from his own Yamina party.

"The results of the consultations, that were open to all, lead me to believe that no candidate has a realistic chance of forming a government that will have the confidence of the Knesset," Rivlin said.