Netanyahu lacks majority as count goes on

March 24, 2021

Issrael moves towards a political deadlock amid Netanyahu’s bloc lacks majority…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may struggle to secure enough seats in Parliament to stay in power, incomplete results of Tuesday’s election suggested, even as he claimed victory in the country’s fourth elections in two years.

His announcement came within two hours of exit polls on Israel’s main three TV channels which indicated no immediate winner in the unprecedented elections amid a prolonged political deadlock.

“A huge victory to the right-wing and the Likud (party) under my leadership,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said his right-wing Likud party is “by far” the largest party in Israel, after the polls suggested it won about 31 seats.

With about 90 per cent of votes counted, his right-wing bloc is course to win 59 seats – two short of the threshold, the BBC reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

In a surprise development, an Arab party which is projected to win five seats could hold the balance of power.

The final outcome will among other things determine the course of Israel’s relations with the Palestinians.

The Arab party, Raam, has not declared whether it will support the efforts of Netanyahu – an unnatural ally – to form a government or those of the bloc opposed to him remaining in office.

Also read:Netanyahu due in Bahrain

Those parties have garnered 56 seats, according to the latest tally, and although backing from Raam could give them a sufficient number to form a government, they are fragmented and unlikely to be able to agree to work together.

If neither grouping can form a majority coalition, the country could face its fifth general election since April 2019.

Israel’s electoral system, a form of proportional representation, makes it almost impossible for a single party to win an election outright.

Ballot papers in Nesher(Wikipedia)

Based on the latest results, to stay in office, Netanyahu would need to secure the support of both Raam and a small right-wing nationalist party, Yamina.

Like Raam, Yamina’s leader, Naftali Bennett, has not announced which side he will throw his weight behind.

“I will do only what is good for the State of Israel,” he said after the voting ended on Tuesday night.

He added that he had told Netanyahu that Yamina would await the final results before deciding on its next steps.

Also read:Netanyahu claims win in Israeli polls

Previous Story

N.Korean missile launch not provocation: Biden

Next Story

Mehra: ‘Toofan’ demanded raw locations

Latest from -Top News

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the

EID MUBARAK!

UAE marks Eid Al Adha with housing support, children’s gifts, pardons, and cultural celebrations, reflecting a national spirit of compassion, unity, and

Don't Miss