Hyderabad: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc has moved ahead of the opposition as votes are counted in the country’s closely contested parliamentary election. However, neither side has secured a clear path to forming a majority government.
With more than 50% of ballots counted on Wednesday, October 28, preliminary projections placed the pro-Netanyahu bloc at 55 seats and the opposition led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot at 50. These figures remain provisional as counting continues.
Netanyahu’s Likud party was leading the party-level count, while Eisenkot’s Yashar party remained in second place. The latest developments followed revised exit polls that showed a narrow advantage for Netanyahu’s bloc after earlier projections had favoured the opposition.
The election is Israel’s first parliamentary contest since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack and the subsequent regional wars. Voters also considered Netanyahu’s leadership, security policy and domestic political disputes.
Coalition Talks Likely as Israel Election Remains Unresolved
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats. A bloc needs at least 61 seats to secure a majority and form a government.
Although Netanyahu’s bloc has gained ground in the partial count, the current projections do not establish that it can command a majority. The opposition also faces the challenge of gathering enough support from other parties.
Arab-led parties could play an important role in the coalition negotiations. However, their seats cannot automatically be added to the opposition total because their parties have separate positions and political demands. Netanyahu has rejected forming a government dependent on Arab parties.
Netanyahu has called for a strong right-wing government and highlighted his administration’s security record. Meanwhile, Eisenkot has argued that voters want political change and has pledged to work towards forming an alternative government. Neither leader’s claim settles the final outcome.
Once the official results are confirmed, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to consult party representatives and nominate a candidate considered capable of forming a coalition. That candidate will then have a limited period to negotiate support from other parties.
The final distribution of seats and the positions adopted by smaller parties will determine the next steps. If no candidate can assemble a viable coalition, Israel could face prolonged negotiations or another election.
For now, Netanyahu’s bloc has gained momentum in the count, but the formation of Israel’s next government remains uncertain.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates and Follow us on GoogleNews
