The chosen leader will have 21 days in which to form a government. However, the president can grant an extra 21 days, if need be. If the new leader doesn't fulfill the requirements for a new government in the time allotted, then he must return his mandate to the president. It promises to be a fierce and intense competition as both main parties vie for the support of the smaller parties. With the demands of acting prime minister, as well as the pursuit of small party support, Peres will find it difficult to carve out time for peace negotiations with the Palestinians or with Syria.
Israeli law says that a transitional government has all of the powers of an ordinary one.
However, the opposition party will argue that the transitional government does not have the moral authority to make extensive territorial decisions. In any case, it is a time of soul-searching for Israelis. It is not an easy time, because now they must ask themselves why this has happened and where should they go from here. Rabin's last words to those who were devoted to peace will be his legacy. There are enemies to the peace process, and they are trying to hurt us, in order to destroy it.