An Israeli casts her ballot for the parliamentary election at a polling station in Tel Aviv March 17, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

- The prime minister-designate has a period of 28 days to form a government, which can be extended by 14 days. If successful, he or she becomes prime minister; if not, the president may then assign the task to another parliamentarian.

- When a government has been formed, the designated premier presents it to the Knesset within 45 days of publication of election results. The government is installed when the Knesset has expressed confidence in it by a majority of 61 Knesset members, and then the ministers assume office.

- In Israel's 67-year history, no single party has received enough Knesset seats to be able to form a government by itself; thus the country has always been governed by a coalition.