Israeli election vote count leaves no bloc with majority
Israel's Knesset election on 27 Oct produced no clear majority for either bloc. Exit polls had Netanyahu's alliance and Eisenkot's opposition bloc each near 50 to 52 of 120 seats, short of the 61 needed. Likud is projected as the largest single party with 24 to 25 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected second on 21 to 23 seats. Eisenkot declared victory and said he has the first right to form a government. Turnout reached 77.7 percent, according to the Central Elections Committee. Official results are due on 4 Nov, and coalition talks are expected to take weeks.
Key facts
- Arab-led parties were projected to win 17 to 18 seats, their strongest showing ever, according to CNBC.
- A new hard right party led by former general Ofer Winter appears to have fallen below the threshold to enter parliament.
- Parties need at least 3.25 percent of the vote to enter the Knesset.
- It is unclear whether Eisenkot will make a deal with Arab parties.
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Why it matters
No bloc has a majority, so the coalition talks will decide who forms the next government.
What changed
First published from The Jerusalem Post, The Hindu, Asharq Al-Awsat, Bangkok Post and Al-Monitor