Israeli Election Projections Show Netanyahu Bloc Leading, Lacking Clear Majority
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Updated projections from Israeli elections show Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc leading but without the 61 seats needed for a majority. The opposition bloc is projected to win 47 seats, while smaller right-wing parties may fall below the electoral threshold. Voter turnout was 77.7%, an increase from the previous election. Parties will now attempt to form a coalition, with potential for another election if unsuccessful.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli election projections show Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc leading but lacking a clear majority.
- Neither the Netanyahu bloc nor the opposition is projected to reach the 61 seats needed for a majority.
- Voter turnout reached 77.7%, an increase from the 2022 elections.
- Small right-wing parties may fail to cross the electoral threshold, complicating coalition efforts.
- Gadi Eisenkot ruled out joining a Netanyahu-led government, even with a prime ministerial rotation.
Updated projections from Israeli elections indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc has a lead, but neither bloc is expected to secure the 61 seats required for a clear majority in the Knesset. Initial exit polls released Tuesday evening did not identify a definitive winner, but Wednesday morning figures showed Netanyahu's bloc ahead. The opposition, comprising Yashar!, B’Yachad, Yisrael Beiteinou, and Les Démocrates, was projected to win 47 seats. These projections are not final results, as the vote count continues and official figures may differ.
According to the projections, Netanyahu's Likud party is expected to be the largest single party with 27 or 28 seats, followed by Yashar! with 21. B'Yachad is projected to get 12 to 14 seats, Yisrael Beiteinou 7 to 9, and Les Démocrates 9 to 10. Within Netanyahu's bloc, Shas and United Torah Judaism are expected to secure 12 to 13 seats, Otzma Yehudit 6 or 7, and Religious Zionism 6. Arab parties could collectively win 16 to 19 seats, potentially playing a crucial role in coalition negotiations, though most opposition leaders have ruled out relying on them, with Yaïr Golan of Les Démocrates being the exception.
Small right-wing parties led by Ofer Winter and Yoaz Hendel are projected to fall below the 3.25% electoral threshold, which would further complicate Netanyahu's efforts to form a majority government. Voter turnout was 77.7%, an increase of 7.1 points from the 2022 elections. Following the final seat allocation, parties will attempt to form a coalition; failure to do so could lead to another election.
Gadi Eisenkot has stated he will not join a government led by Netanyahu, even in a rotation for prime minister, and urged security officials to prevent security issues from being politicized. Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit, cautioned against a unity government with Eisenkot.
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