Reuven Rivlin (Likud) is Israel’s next president

Former Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin of Likud won the presidency in a second round of balloting in the Knesset Tuesday by a majority of 63 of 120 votes. In the first round, Rivlin’s 44 votes fell short of a majority and he therefore faced his runner-up MK Meir Sheetrit who won 31 the first time round.  MK Dalia Itzkik came third with 28 votes and former Supreme Court Judge Dalia Dornia followed with 13. Only one lawmaker voted for Nobel Lauriate Prof. Dan Shechtman. The post is largely ceremonial except for two prerogatives: Tapping the most likely candidate to form a government after a general election, and issuing pardons on the recommendation of the Justice Minister. But his conduct is expected to be irreproachable.