WATCH: President Herzog receives results of 26th Knesset election, kickstarts mandate negotiations
By law, the president is required to consult the Knesset factions before deciding who receives the task of forming a government.
President Isaac Herzog received the official election results from the Central Elections Committee on Wednesday, signaling the start of negotiations to form the next government. The Central Elections Committee had validated the results, confirming that neither major bloc had secured an outright majority. Herzog is now set to consult with party leaders, beginning with those holding the most Knesset seats.
The Religious Zionist Party-Zehut, Shas, and Yisrael Beytenu have all indicated they will back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as do the opposition bloc, led by Yair Golan and Naftali Bennett. Yisrael Beytenu's Avigdor Liberman has recommended Gadi Eisenkot from the Yashar party as prime minister, in an attempt to prevent another election.
While Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats, the opposition holds 48, with the Arab parties, Raam and the Joint List, collectively winning a record 19 seats. The political deadlock may yet force another election, although a unity government, a minority government, or a coalition between Netanyahu and Eisenkot's supporters are also possibilities.
Herzog urged political leaders to accept the results and engage in flexible coalition talks, warning against entrenchment that could lead to another election.
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