Politics1 min read

Israel election: When will government be formed, who will lead it?

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The October 27 vote left Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition with 53 seats, falling well short of a parliamentary majority against the opposition's combined totals. Certified results will be handed to President Isaac Herzog by November 4, ahead of the new Knesset swearing-in set for November 10. Herzog will likely mandate either Netanyahu or opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, who will then receive 28 days, plus a potential two-week extension, to negotiate a functioning administration. Securing a coalition may require novel unity arrangements or outside confidence votes from Arab-led factions.

Key points

  • Neither the incumbent coalition nor the opposition blocs currently hold the 61 seats nece…: Neither the incumbent coalition nor the opposition blocs currently hold the 61 seats necessary to establish a majority government.
  • President Herzog is actively encouraging party leaders to explore creative solutions, inc…: President Herzog is actively encouraging party leaders to explore creative solutions, including a potential unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot.
  • Arab-led parties holding 19 Knesset seats could potentially facilitate an opposition-led…: Arab-led parties holding 19 Knesset seats could potentially facilitate an opposition-led government through direct partnership or external confidence votes.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

President Isaac Herzog must tap a candidate to form a new government after results are certified by November 10, with fraught negotiations likely to follow.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his coalition’s parliamentary majority following legislative elections on October 27.

But a bloc of Jewish parties opposing Netanyahu also failed to win a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, leaving Israel without a clear path to a new government.

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What’s ahead is likely weeks of political wrangling as Israel’s disparate factions weigh possible governing arrangements, including a unity government bringing rival factions together or a minority government reliant on outside support. If they fail to reach an agreement, Israel could head back to the polls.

Here’s what you should know:

What are the final results of Israel’s elections?

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