With 90% of votes in Benjamin Netanyahu misses a majority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a news conference in Jerusalem, September 18 2019. Picture: REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN

However, with coalition-building again key to forming a government, it could be days or even weeks before it becomes clear whether the wily politician hailed by supporters as “King Bibi” has been dethroned after a decade in power. The ballot’s wild card, former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman, emerged as a likely king maker as head of the secular-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, projected to capture nine seats. Lieberman has been pushing for a unity government comprised of the biggest parties. He declined to back Netanyahu’s bid to form a narrow right-wing and religious coalition after the April election, bringing about Tuesday’s unprecedented repeat vote.

Netanyahu appeared fatigued and hoarse in a 3am election night speech to party faithful earlier on Wednesday in which he said he intended to form a “Zionist government”, without Arab parties that could lend support to Gantz.Once the last votes are tallied, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will consult with leaders of parties that won parliamentary representation about whom to tap to try to form a government. The nominee will then have up to 42 days to do so.

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