Developing...
UPDATE 1
Exit polls show that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and his hard-line allies have won a narrow majority in parliamentary elections, the Associated Press reports.
UPDATE 2
From WaPo:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party emerged as the largest faction in a hotly contested parliamentary election on Tuesday, positioning the hard-liner to serve a new term as prime minister, according to exit polls. But a lackluster performance by Likud, along with surprising gains by a centrist newcomer, raised the strong possibility that he will be forced to form a broad coalition.
The exit polls aired on Israel’s three major TV stations all forecast Likud along with its traditional hardline and religious allies, capturing a shaky majority of just 61 or 62 seats in the 120-member parliament. With official results trickling in throughout the night, it was possible that the two sides could end in deadlock.
UPDATE 3
From WaPo
Such a [coalition] scenario would have deep implications for Mideast peace prospects. Netanyahu’s centrist opponents have said they would not join his government if he does not make a serious push for peace with the Palestinians. Peace talks have been deadlocked throughout Netanyahu’s four-year term.
No comments:
Post a Comment