Netanyahu is facing the possibility of having to fight a second election this year, as he struggles to form a coalition government. His Likud party emerged tied as the largest party in the 120-seat parliament, and with his traditional allies, he appeared to control a solid 65-55 majority. His prospective coalition has been thrown into crisis in recent days by former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an ally and sometimes rival of Netanyahu’s. Without the five seats of Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party, Netanyahu cannot muster a majority. The main opposition party, Blue and White, which also controls 35 seats, appealed for a chance to form a coalition.

Source: Washington Post May 27, 2019 12:58 UTC