Vote counting ends in Israel, coalition talks to begin - NHKニュース

Vote counting for Israel's parliamentary election has ended with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling bloc nor the opposition camp securing a majority. Whether Netanyahu remains in office hinges on the upcoming coalition talks.

On Thursday, Israel's Central Elections Committee announced the results of the vote count from Tuesday's election.

The committee said that, of the 120 parliamentary seats, Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party won 27, followed by 21 seats for the opposition's centrist Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

Two other Arab parties, which do not belong to either the ruling or opposition camps, made significant gains, winning a total of 19 seats. That figure is nearly double the number they had before the election. Observers say the turnout among Arab residents, who account for nearly 20 percent of voters, rose due to their opposition to the Netanyahu administration, which has taken a hardline stance against Palestine.

The Likud party came out on top, but fell short of a majority. Its ruling camp, which includes far-right parties, has 53 seats.

The opposition bloc, which includes Yashar, also failed to secure a majority. It has 48 seats. Local media outlets report that there is "no clear victory for either Netanyahu's bloc or Eisenkot's bloc."

In Israel, after the results of an election are finalized, the president tasks the party leader deemed most capable of putting together a coalition with forming the next government.

The coalition talks are expected to be intense, as the blocs will try to win over support from other parties. Observers are wondering whether the Arab parties will be part of a coalition.