Exit Polls Show No Clear Bloc Majority in Israel Vote
Al Jazeera reports exit polls project Netanyahu's and Eisenkot's blocs at about 51 seats each, with Arab-led parties at 18, and final results due November 4.
The story in focus
Exit polls from Israel's October 27 Knesset elections projected no clear majority, with Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar-led opposition both at about 51 seats, Al Jazeera reported. Final results are due November 4, after which President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders and choose a candidate to form a government.
- Exit polls put both the Netanyahu-led and Eisenkot-led blocs at about 51 of 120 Knesset seats.
- Arab-led parties were projected at 18 seats, short of either bloc's majority threshold.
- Final results are due November 4, after which President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders.
- The chosen candidate would have 28 days to form a coalition, extendable by 14.
- Netanyahu's government would remain as caretaker if talks fail and new elections are called.
Projected deadlock
Exit polls released by major Israeli television networks on October 27 projected that neither the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party nor the opposition bloc led by former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party would secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, Al Jazeera reported.
Both blocs were projected at approximately 51 seats, while Arab-led parties not aligned with either coalition were projected at 18 seats, potentially positioning them as kingmakers. Figures remain projections pending the final vote tally.
What comes next
Once final results are confirmed on November 4, President Isaac Herzog is to consult party leaders on their preferred prime minister and then task the candidate he judges most likely to assemble a government. That choice need not fall to the leader of the largest party.
The designated candidate would initially have 28 days to form a coalition, with the president able to extend the period by 14 days. If that effort fails, Herzog could ask another Knesset member to try within 28 days, and a Knesset majority could later nominate a third candidate with 14 days.
If the Knesset remains deadlocked, it would be dissolved and new elections called within 90 days, with Netanyahu's government staying on as caretaker. Al Jazeera noted both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have ruled out partnering with Arab-led parties.
Israel held three elections between April 2019 and March 2020 amid prolonged gridlock, Al Jazeera reported.
When are Israel's final election results expected?
Al Jazeera reports final results are due November 4, after which President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders and task a candidate with forming a government.
Sources & further reading
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