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Israel Elections: Netanyahu Set to Win

Israel Elections: Netanyahu Set to Win
Israel Elections: Netanyahu Set to Win

With 99 % of the votes counted, final results are to be officially published by March 9-10

Israel held its legislative elections on March 2, 2020, making these the third elections in less than a year. With more than 90 % of the votes counted, Netanyahu has claimed victory according to the television exit polls. According to the Election General, the final yet unofficial results are set to be published by the evening of March 4.

Benjiman Netanyahu’s Likud party, with just a seat short, claimed a win amid the vote count which is said to be completed by March 8. The official results are set to be published by March 9 or 10. Mr Netanyahu, the longest serving leader of Israel, under multiple corruption charges, has already declared the results as the “biggest win” of his life. The last two elections were held in August and September 2019 where the ballot results were inconclusive. With this win, Mr Netanyahu is set to form government but it is still not clear whether he will have full majority or not.   

According to the current exit polls, the Likud party appears to have won four more parliamentary seats than the Blue and White coalition led by Benny Gantz. Mr Netanyahu’s party along with his religious supporters and right-wing parties are predicted to win about 60 seats, which is just one seat away from forming a majority in the 120-seat Israeli parliament, Knesset.   

With the votes that have already been counted, the exit polls showed the Likud securing between 36 and 37 parliamentary seats in comparison to the 32-34 seats for the Blue and White coalition led by Mr Gantz. Mr Netanyahu’s campaign heavily focused on the “security first” agenda and national reconciliation and his loyal supporters stood strong behind him.

The Central Election Committee has counted almost all absentee ballots including the votes of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), diplomats, emissaries, prisoners and special ballots for people quarantined amid the Coronavirus in Israel.