Israel has voted, but what comes next? Dissecting a messy ballot and coalition-building process
With no clear majority for the ruling coalition or main opposition bloc, working out who will form the next government could take months.
Israel held its national election on October 27, 2026, with a record-breaking 77.7% turnout, the highest in over two decades. The election was seen as a significant event, with many Israelis believing it would shape the future direction of the country. The ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suffered a major setback as over 50% of voters opted for parties opposing the current government.
Netanyahu's Likud party, which held 68 seats in the 120-member parliament, lost six seats and will have 53 seats in the next parliament, a significant decline from its previous position. This outcome indicates that the Israeli public is deeply divided, with Netanyahu's leadership facing growing criticism.
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