Exit polls in Israel’s fourth election in two years indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party is ahead, but there was a short parliamentary majority to form a government and close the political gap.
Unofficial figures from three major television channels released late Tuesday evening showed the Likud party showing about 31-33 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. That was more than the Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid, predicted to take about 16-18 seats.
However, post-poll voting has proven unreliable in the past. Seriously, Netanyahu will need to persuade other parties to join him to form a 61-seat majority coalition. Political negotiations could fail, possibly an unexpected fifth election this summer.
Reacting to the exit poll results, Netanyahu stopped short of declaring victory, but said voters had made significant ideological choices. “It is clear that the clear majority of Israeli citizens are right-wing.” Said on Twitter.
In an election night speech at a rally in Likud, he said the party’s estimated number of seats in parliament was “a major achievement” and hoped to form a “stable right-wing government”.
“I will reach out to all elected officials who share our principles. I will not exclude anyone, ”he told supporters.
The prime minister hopes voters will give him credit for the world-defeated coronavirus vaccination campaign, which led Israel to simultaneously reopen shops, bars and restrooms. Pushing down the infection rate.
“We are world champions in handling the coronavirus,” Netanyahu told the crowd at the polls.
At a polling station in Jerusalem, when asked who he wanted to win, voter Seema Levy said using her nickname: “Always for BB Netanyahu”. Real The year-old real estate broker added: “What he has done for us and still does, he gives himself for the country … I think he is protected by God.”
Politician The preferred path to victory will be the so-called “absolute right of the nation,” which is made up of extreme nationalists, fanatics and far-right parties.
Allies from ultra-religious Jewish groups relied on support, such as Arya Deri, who said on Sunday that being a candidate in the party was not a “natural place” for the woman they lead.
An alliance called religious Zionism may also require the support of the prime minister from a more extreme group, including politicians who have expressed anti-gay views and want the RBOs expelled from the state.
Heretz, Israel’s most famous left-leaning paper, called the possible outcome a “nightmare” for “anyone who is not a nationalist extremist who believes in possible supremacy.”
While most Israelis say they want to oust Netanyahu, he is far more popular than other candidates, despite numerous allegations of corruption, including bribery and fraud. He denies the allegations.
Bored after repeated rounds of voting during a protracted crisis or perhaps due to unusually dusty hot weather, voting this year seemed to have reached its lowest point in a decade.
Shortly after he cast his ballot, Robert Roschen, 67, who lives in Jerusalem, said the political stalemate has led to apathy from the political process. “There is more fatigue than usual because you also have covid fatigue,” he added.
In protest, former TV host and finance minister Lapid hoped his successful party could become a significant force. To do so, however, the self-proclaimed “centrist” will likely have to forge alliances with parties from the political spectrum, from Arab MPs to far-right nationalists such as former Netanyahu ally Avigdor Lieberman.
Lapid has taken on the role of head of the opposition from former military chief Benny Gentz, who fought against Netanyahu during the previous three elections but lost his support after making a power-losing deal that eventually collapsed. Exit polls show Gentz predicting about -8 seats, down from 33 in the previous year’s election.
More than 6.3 million people were eligible to vote. For election day, the military has closed crossings on the occupied West Bank, where more than 25 million Palestinians live under Israeli rule but cannot vote.
Full results may take days to arrive.
Matty Tufffeld, a critic for the Israel Heyom daily, said there was great uncertainty surrounding the election.
Israeli law stipulates that parties need at least 25.25% of the vote to enter the Knesset, meaning that a fractional change in the vote could significantly affect the outcome.
“No one knows what’s going to happen this time.” “Election results are definitely expected. Only one thing is clear: we should not be surprised if we end up very surprised. “
Q&A
What’s going on
Israelis voted in the country’s fourth national election on Tuesday in less than two years.
Why would they?
Under the country’s political system, it is extremely difficult for a party to get a clear majority in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. In the past, governments were formed by parties by groups to form coalitions. However, recent efforts are failing.
How come
It depends on who you ask, and there is definitely an element of bad luck about it. Still, the ambiguity that plagued Israel is related to one man: Benjamin Netanyahu. The country’s longest-serving leader has become a trend issue due to his domestic divisions, both dear and hateful.
How did the last three votes go?
The “King BB”, as he is known, appeared to have defeated former army chief and opposition leader Benny Gentz in the first election in April 2019, but was blocked from forming a government by disgruntled former ally, far-right nationalist Avigdor Lieberman. The next election saw Netanyahu and Gentz in a virtual tie and the two vying for power. A third vote ended in government, a compromise in which Netanyahu and Gentz agreed to rotate the prime minister. But that deal fell through in December.
What about Netanyahu’s corruption case?
The 1-year-old leader has been formally charged with corruption – allegations he denies – and is set to go on trial next month. Israeli political analysts have speculated that Netanyahu overthrew the last government he handed over power to Guantes. He says he will risk another election in the hope that he can fight the charges against the powerful prime minister.
Has anything changed this time?
Many key players remain the same, though some have been rotated. Gentz, who campaigned for Netanyahu’s ouster but then renewed and joined him, lost much support. Ganz’s former running mate, Yair Lapid, who appeals to secular, middle-class Israelis, is now head of the opposition.
Is business an issue in this election?
Domestic politics in Israel has led to the right, and the fate of millions of Palestinian Palestinians under the control of the Israeli military has disappeared from the election campaign.
When will we know the results?
Voting figures will begin early Wednesday morning, but counting the votes could take days. If the result is messed up again, the real battle for power could take weeks. The current polls show an impediment, so there is a possibility that the country could face a frightening fifth election.
