Exit polls point to political deadlock in Israel
Neither of the two major blocs appears likely to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority.
Follow-up to: Electoral commission rejects Netanyahu request Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 19:56
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Israel’s election appears to be heading towards political deadlock. According to exit polls, neither the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor that of opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has secured the majority needed to form a government.
The first exit polls indicate that neither of the two major political blocs has won 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. It is therefore not yet clear who can form the next government. The official result will not be known until the votes have been counted and may differ from the estimates.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel’s electoral commission rejected a request from Netanyahu and his allies to extend polling-station opening hours. The decision came during an election presented by both camps as a choice over the country’s political direction and Netanyahu’s future.
Israeli voters vote for parties, not directly for a prime minister. After the election, parties must therefore seek support from other factions. Smaller parties and Arab lists could consequently occupy a decisive position, even if they do not themselves form a large bloc.
The result makes prolonged coalition negotiations likely. Netanyahu may try to keep his existing right-wing and religious partners together. One possible scenario is that Eisenkot seeks support from other opponents of Netanyahu. Differences over security, Gaza, the Palestinian issue and the role of religion in the state could make such negotiations more difficult.
If neither camp finds sufficient support, Israel could temporarily retain a caretaker government or return to the polls. The exit polls provide no definitive answer on this. Above all, they show that the election has not straightforwardly settled the balance of power.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The exit polls point to a result without a clear majority for either of the two major blocs.
- The Knesset has 120 seats; 61 seats are needed for a majority.
- Smaller and Arab parties could influence the formation of a government.
- The official result has not yet been established.
Left
Arguments From this perspective, a deadlock shows that Israel needs a government less dependent on religious-nationalist parties, with more room for the opposition, Arab citizens and a political solution to the conflict.
Values Equal representation, civil rights, secularism and a diplomatic approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Consequences A broad coalition could reduce polarisation, but it could also slow decision-making and become vulnerable because of divisions over security and Gaza.
Centre
Arguments The institutional priority is a stable government with a parliamentary majority that can implement workable policies. Coalition negotiations should therefore focus above all on clear agreements and governability.
Values Continuity, parliamentary legitimacy, the rule of law and governmental stability.
Consequences A compromise government could bring temporary calm, but complex agreements could result in a weak cabinet or new elections.
Right
Arguments From this perspective, the new government should continue the security policy and prevent parties seen as insufficiently reliable on national security from gaining decisive influence.
Values National security, a strong executive, national sovereignty and protection of the Jewish state.
Consequences A government with a clear right-wing majority could take security decisions more quickly, but could also increase domestic division and international criticism.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claim is based on recent exit polls and is presented as provisional. The explanation of the distribution of seats and coalition formation is confirmed by the sources.
- confirmed Israel’s Knesset has 120 seats and a majority consists of 61 seats. — Confirmed by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed According to the exit polls, neither of the two major blocs appears likely to win 61 seats. — Confirmed by the AP’s description of the exit polls. source
- confirmed Smaller and Arab parties could play a pivotal role. — Described in reporting on the expected coalition formation. source
- confirmed The official result may differ from the exit polls. — Exit polls are provisional estimates; ORF describes the subsequent count. source
Editor's note
The exit polls are provisional estimates; the official distribution of seats is not yet known. The sources confirm the deadlock and the possible role of smaller and Arab parties.Sources
The story so far
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 05:11 Israel votes next week: can Netanyahu continue to govern?
- Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 21:26 AI plays key role in Israeli election campaign
- Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 14:54 Man with knife arrested near Israeli opposition leader
- Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 19:56 Electoral commission rejects Netanyahu request
- Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 22:25 Exit polls point to political deadlock in Israel (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „israël verkiezingen”
- De Telegraaf — „israël verkiezingen”
- AD — „israël verkiezingen”