LIKUD WINS THE MOST SEATS, BUT NO PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY

JERUSALEM, OCTOBER 29 /SRNA – RIA Novosti/ – Israel’s ruling coalition, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, remained in the lead after 100 per cent of the votes had been counted, but neither it nor the opposition bloc has a majority to form a government, the Israeli Central Elections Committee announced.

Likud is the largest party in the 120-seat parliament, with 27 seats, while the ruling coalition holds a total of 53 seats.

The main opposition party, Yashar, led by former general Gadi Eisenkot, came in second with 21 seats, while the opposition bloc in general secured 48 seats.

The coalition of Arab parties came third with 19 seats.

A majority of 61 seats in the Knesset is required to form a government.