Israeli President Herzog Urges Open-Minded Coalition Talks After Inconclusive Vote
Following inconclusive election results, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged political leaders to approach coalition talks with an open mind to prevent another election.
Following the inconclusive election results that left neither political bloc with a clear majority, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged political leaders to approach coalition negotiations with an open mind. Speaking on Wednesday, Herzog emphasized that all efforts must be made to prevent another round of elections.
"We must understand one thing, and I said this even before the election: we must do everything, certainly after yesterday, to avoid repeating another election. So I expect everyone who comes here to arrive with an open mind," the president stated. Herzog praised the high voter turnout, calling it a badge of honor for Israeli society and a testament to the public's deep commitment to democracy.
According to current results with 93 percent of polling stations counted and double-envelope ballots remaining, the right-wing bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secures 53 mandates, the center-left bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot wins 48 seats, and Arab parties hold 19 mandates.
President Herzog will officially receive the final election results next week from Supreme Court Deputy President, Justice Noam Solberg. Following the official handover, the president will initiate a round of consultations with representatives from every faction in the Knesset before entrusting a candidate with the mandate to form a government. Under Israeli law, the chosen candidate receives 28 days to build a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.
