Netanyahu loses majority in Israeli election, coalition talks begin

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:51 · Archive

Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc won 53 of 120 parliament seats, losing its majority and triggering coalition negotiations.

Israel's final election results have confirmed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have lost their parliamentary majority, indicating weeks of difficult negotiations among political parties lie ahead. Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, the main opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48, and Arab-led parties secured 19 of the 120 Knesset seats.

Now parties must meet and bargain to assemble a coalition of at least 61 seats. Netanyahu's main opponents would most likely need to partner with Arab-led parties to replace him. However, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of a conservative anti-Netanyahu faction, appeared to rule out any partnership with Arab-led parties, making it nearly impossible for Netanyahu's opponents to form a coalition to oust him.

The opposition faces a politically sensitive choice: partner with Arab-led parties to unseat Netanyahu, or form a fractious unity government with him instead. The election results still need to be certified and submitted to President Isaac Herzog next Wednesday. Herzog will then task someone with forming the new government, which could be Netanyahu or whoever party leaders believe best suited.

How it is being reported

• Hard talks loom in Israel as election results finalisedIsrael's political parties must seek a way to team up and achieve a bloc of at least 61 seats in the 120-member parliament following an inconclusive election.Perth Now · 30 Oct, 18:29
• Hard talks loom in Israel as election results finalisedIsrael's political parties must seek a way to team up and achieve a bloc of at least 61 seats in the 120-member parliament following an inconclusive election.The West Australian · 30 Oct, 18:29

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Gadi Eisenkot · Avigdor Lieberman · Isaac Herzog · Israel · Knesset

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log