Netanyahu remains interim after election without majority in Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu is set to continue as Israel's interim prime minister after his bloc failed to secure a parliamentary majority in the 2026 elections. With 86% of votes counted, projections indicate 53 seats for the current prime minister's group, 48 for the opposition, and 19 for Arab parties. The election was the first since the attacks of October 7 and the start of the war in Gaza.
Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of the Likud party (right), is expected to remain in office on an interim basis after his bloc failed to win a parliamentary majority in elections held on Tuesday (27.Oct.2026). The information was released by Reuters, based on projections by three Israeli broadcasters, when nearly 86 percent of the votes had already been counted.
According to the surveys, the group led by Netanyahu would win 53 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. The opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, would have 48 seats. Israeli Arab parties are expected to win 19 seats, a record. No bloc has reached the 61-member mark needed to form a government.
Projections point to impasse in the Knesset
The numbers projected by the broadcasters indicate a political fragmentation scenario. Netanyahu’s bloc, although the largest, is far from the absolute majority. The opposition, in turn, also does not gather enough forces to govern alone. Arab parties, with unprecedented performance, can become a key part of the negotiations.
The vote went without abnormalities, according to David Zini, head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service. The Israeli police had also denied suspicion of electoral fraud. The declaration seeks to ensure the smoothness of the process in a time of regional tension.
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Electoral system and the context of war
In Israel’s national elections, citizens vote exclusively in parties, not in specific candidates, to elect the 120 members of the Knesset. The election is the first in the country since the October 7 attacks and the beginning of the war in Gaza, which adds a layer of urgency and polarization to the political debate.
The proportional closed list system usually produces fragmented parliaments, requiring coalitions. Since 2019, Israel has gone through successive elections without any leader succeeding in forming a stable government. The current dispute comes amid criticism of the conduct of the war and Netanyahu’s management.
Next steps: consultations and coalition
From the official result, the president of Israel, who acts as head of state, will hold consultations with the elected parties. The aim is to identify which political leader is most likely to form a majority coalition of at least 61 deputies. This process can take weeks.
The elected leader assumes the position of prime minister and becomes head of government once his coalition and political platform are officially approved by the Knesset. Until then, Netanyahu remains interim prime minister, retaining executive functions but with limited power to implement long-term policies.
What does this mean for Israel?
Netanyahu’s stay as an interim prolongs political uncertainty at a critical time. The country faces security, economic and social challenges amplified by war. The lack of a full government can delay decisions on budget, defense and international relations.
On the other hand, the record number of seats in the Arab parties signals a change in the electorate. The participation of these parties in a future coalition, however, is historically rare and politically delicate. The source did not detail which subtitles make up each block.
Reactions and expectations
To date, there are no official statements by Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot about the projections. Reuters said the numbers could still change with the full count. The president is expected to begin consultations in the coming days.
Analysts heard by the local press, cited by the agency, assess that the impasse could lead to new elections, as happened in previous cycles. However, the source did not detail these comments. The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to monitor the developments.
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