Israelis go to polls again as Netanyahu tries to cling to power
Israel's longest serving prime minister looks to secure another term in power despite a looming indictment on corruption charges
Israelis are voting in an unprecedented repeat election that will decide whether long-time prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stays in power despite a looming indictment on corruption charges.
Mr Netanyahu, the longest serving leader in Israeli history, is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, and his fifth overall.
He faces a stiff challenge from retired military chief Benny Gantz, whose centrist Blue and White party is running even with Mr Netanyahu’s Likud.
Both parties could struggle to form a majority coalition with smaller allies, potentially forcing them into a unity government.
Mr Netanyahu has tried to portray himself as a statesman who is uniquely qualified to lead the country through challenging times, but Mr Gantz has tried to paint him as divisive and scandal-plagued, offering himself as a calming influence and an honest alternative.
The vote is their second showdown of the year after drawing even in the previous election in April.
Mr Netanyahu appeared poised to remain in office at the time, with his traditional allies of nationalist and ultra-religious Jewish parties controlling a parliamentary majority.
But Avigdor Lieberman, his mercurial ally-turned-rival, refused to join the new coalition, citing excessive influence it granted the ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties. Without a parliamentary majority, Mr Netanyahu dissolved parliament and called a new election.
Opinion polls have forecast similar results this time, potentially putting Mr Lieberman in the role of kingmaker again.
After voting on Tuesday, Mr Lieberman reiterated his promise to force a unity government between Likud and Blue and White. He said there will not be a third round of elections and the parties will have to deal with the “constellation” that emerges from this vote.
The performance by the Soviet-born politician’s Yisrael Beitenu party is one of the factors that could determine Mr Netanyahu’s future.
Opinion polls have forecast similar results this time around, potentially putting Mr Lieberman in the role of kingmaker.
The performance by the Soviet-born politician’s Yisrael Beitenu party is just one of the factors that could determine Mr Netanyahu’s future. Several small parties are fighting to squeak past the minimum 3.25% threshold for entering parliament.
The performances of these parties could make or break Mr Netanyahu’s ability to form a coalition. Heavier turnout by Arab voters, many of whom stayed home in April, could also hurt Mr Netanyahu.
Several small parties are fighting to edge past the minimum 3.25% threshold for entering parliament. The performances of these parties could make or break Mr Netanyahu’s ability to form a coalition. Heavier turnout by Arab voters, many of whom stayed home in April, could hurt him.
He is desperate to secure a narrow 61-seat majority in parliament with his hardline religious and nationalist allies who are expected to approve legislation that would grant Mr Netanyahu immunity from prosecution.
Israel’s attorney general has recommended pressing criminal charges against him in three separate corruption cases, pending a long delayed pre-trial hearing scheduled next month.
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