Two thirds of the votes counted – Netanyahu in the lead

By election in Israel

Two thirds of the votes counted – Netanyahu in the lead

After two-thirds of all votes were counted, Netanyahu’s camp is ahead in Israel’s parliamentary election, but does not have a majority. Who will form the government in the future remains unclear.

After the parliamentary election in Israel the Prime Minister’s right-wing religious bloc has Benjamin Netanyahu consolidated its lead after around 66 percent of the votes were counted. However, the camp does not reach a clear majority. According to Israeli media reports, there are currently 54 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, while the opposing camp of ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot has 48 seats. 61 seats would be needed for a majority.

Netanyahu’s Likud party was reportedly the strongest force with 27 seats in parliament. Behind them is the center party Jaschar von Eisenkot, which has 21 seats. As things currently stand, the Arab parties have a total of 18 seats. Eisenkot would have to rely on the support of Arab parties to form a government, which several opposition parties have so far rejected. Netanyahu, meanwhile, called for the formation of a strong right-wing government without the participation of Arab parties.

The formation of a government and who will appoint the future Prime Minister is still uncertain.