Israel Election: Projections Show No Side Reaches 61 Seats

No political bloc in Israel secured a decisive majority in Tuesday's election, according to preliminary projections released late Thursday. The lack of a clear winner means the country will face a period of negotiation before a new government can be formed. The result reflects a sharp division among voters over economic policy and national security.

The Israeli electoral system requires 61 seats in the 120-member Knesset to form a stable coalition. Neither the center-right bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the center-left opposition under Yair Lapid appears to have reached that threshold. Early counts suggest the right-leaning alliance will hold roughly 58 seats, while the opposition bloc is projected to secure around 55 seats.

The vote took place on March 2, 2026, following a year of legislative gridlock. Netanyahu had called for a fourth election in four years, citing the need to break the stalemate that prevented his government from passing key reforms. Voter turnout was measured at 67%, slightly below the average for recent national elections.

The fragmentation of the Knesset is driven by the performance of smaller parties. The Likud Party won 32 seats, down from 36 in the previous term. The Blue and White party, part of the opposition coalition, won 24 seats. The Religious Zionist party, a key partner for Netanyahu, won 14 seats, while the New Hope party gained 11 seats. These numbers force the major leaders to seek alliances with smaller, ideologically distinct groups.

Negotiations to form a government must conclude within 28 days. President Isaac Herzog has instructed Netanyahu to lead the initial talks, as his bloc holds the slight edge in projected seats. If he fails to secure a mandate from the Knesset, the task will fall to Lapid. This timeline allows for two weeks of intensive bargaining before a final vote on the candidate for prime minister.

Market analysts noted that the uncertainty has caused a slight dip in the shekel against the dollar. However, business leaders say the economy remains resilient, with inflation holding steady at 2.1% in the final quarter of 2025. The primary focus now shifts to the formation of the cabinet, which will determine the direction of Israel's fiscal and social policies for the next four years.