Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Israel faces coalition deadlock after election
Israel’s election left parliament without a clear governing majority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, while the bloc opposing him won 48.
Arab-led parties won 19 seats, but whether they will back an opposition-led government is uncertain.
A candidate needs support from at least 61 lawmakers to form a majority government.
President Isaac Herzog is due to consult elected parties and choose a candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a coalition.
That candidate will have 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to negotiate a government.
Rival parties may need to join forces, or Israel could face another election if government formation fails.
Israel’s election left the governing coalition and the opposing bloc short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
The pro-Netanyahu coalition won 53 seats, while the bloc opposing him won 48; Arab-led parties won 19.
President Isaac Herzog is to consult parties and choose a candidate to try to form a government.
Coalition talks may involve rival factions or outside support, but opposition leaders have disagreed over working with Arab-led parties.
If efforts to form a government fail, Israel could hold another election.
- Who
- President Isaac Herzog will choose a candidate to form a government. Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot are among the possible candidates.
- What
- The election produced no majority for either the pro-Netanyahu coalition or the opposition bloc, leaving coalition formation uncertain.
- When
- The election was held on October 27. Herzog’s consultations are due to begin on Wednesday.
- Where
- Israel; the elected parties hold seats in the Knesset.
- Why
- Neither the governing coalition nor the opposing bloc won the 61 seats needed for a majority.
Netanyahu’s pro-coalition bloc
Opposition bloc and potential partners
Working with Arab-led parties
Netanyahu’s pro-coalition bloc
Opposition leaders have previously ruled out partnering with Arab-led parties, though some may consider their support.
Opposition bloc and potential partners
Arab-led parties have signalled willingness to work with the opposition, while opposition figures have called for their participation.
Conditions for government participation
Netanyahu’s pro-coalition bloc
Eisenkot has set conditions including a commitment to Israel as a Jewish, democratic and liberal state and excluding Hamas from political power.
Opposition bloc and potential partners
It remains uncertain whether Arab-led parties will agree to all of Eisenkot’s conditions.
Israelis voted in legislative elections.
Election results are due to be officially certified and presented to President Isaac Herzog.
Herzog is due to begin consultations with parties elected to the Knesset.
The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in.
Herzog must task a member of the incoming Knesset with trying to form a government.
- Knesset seats
- 120
- Majority threshold
- 61 seats
- Pro-Netanyahu coalition
- 53 seats
- Opposition bloc
- 48 seats
- Arab-led parties
- 19 seats
- Initial government-formation period
- 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension
4 sources
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What people are saying
creative solutions
If Netanyahu had a similar problem, he would immediately invite Mansour Abbas
give him the role of a minister of interior