WorldPosted at: Oct 28 2026 9:29PM


Netanyahu bloc gains slight edge over Eisenkot but political deadlock looms as neither side set to secure majority

Jerusalem, Oct 28 (UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has secured 53 seats against 48 for the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, according to the Central Elections Committee, leaving both sides short of the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority and setting the stage for weeks of negotiations over the country’s next government.
Arab parties have secured a combined 19 seats, marking a historic high. However, an opposition government relying on their support remains an unlikely prospect.
The results represent a stronger showing for Netanyahu than initial exit polls suggested, which had placed Eisenkot’s bloc ahead. Despite the improvement, Netanyahu’s coalition is on course to lose 11 seats compared with its current strength, while Eisenkot’s bloc lacks a clear path to forming a government.
About 93% of ordinary ballots have been counted, representing 85.6% of the total vote. The Central Elections Committee said the remaining 7% of ordinary ballots would require additional oversight, while around 600,000 double-envelope votes remain to be counted over the next few days.
These include ballots cast by soldiers, diplomats, prisoners and others who voted outside their designated polling areas. Although the remaining votes could alter the distribution of seats within the two blocs, they are not expected to change the overall balance of power significantly.
Three parties remain below the 3.25% electoral threshold: Reservists, with 2.6%; People of Israel, with 1.6%; and Charedi Public, with 0.2%.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to begin consultations with political parties next week before deciding whether to ask Netanyahu or Eisenkot to form a government.
“We must do everything possible, especially after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections. So I expect everyone who comes here to arrive with an open mind,” Herzog said on Wednesday.
If neither bloc can secure a majority, another election could be held as early as April.
Herzog could attempt to broker a unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, although Netanyahu has shown little interest in the prospect. On Tuesday night, the prime minister called instead for a “strong right-wing government”.
Netanyahu could seek to persuade an opposition leader to join his coalition, but opposition figures had publicly pledged before the election not to enter a Netanyahu-led government.
Eisenkot could alternatively attempt to form a minority government with outside support from Arab parties. However, such an arrangement could prove unstable and potentially pave the way for another Netanyahu victory in a subsequent election.
Allowing Netanyahu to remain as caretaker prime minister until fresh elections could also give his bloc time to reorganise and resolve internal divisions. It would leave him in charge of the executive branch, including national security and foreign policy, during the interim period.
The opposition, meanwhile, is expected to seek control of key positions in the Knesset when the new parliament is sworn in next week. This would give Eisenkot and his allies greater influence over the legislative agenda and the appointment of a parliamentary speaker.
Among their priorities could be legislation establishing a national commission of inquiry into the security failures surrounding the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 terror attack.
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