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Israelis await election outcome | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Counting is under way in Israel after polls closed in the country's snap general elections. | Counting is under way in Israel after polls closed in the country's snap general elections. |
Results are expected to be close, with preliminary exit polls giving the ruling Kadima Party 30 seats to 29 for the opposition Likud. | Results are expected to be close, with preliminary exit polls giving the ruling Kadima Party 30 seats to 29 for the opposition Likud. |
Ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu is forecast to be third, pushing Labour into an unprecedented fourth place. | |
The first official results are not expected for several hours. Final results will come within days. | The first official results are not expected for several hours. Final results will come within days. |
Cheers erupted at Kadima's headquarters as the exit polls were announced on Israeli TV. | Cheers erupted at Kadima's headquarters as the exit polls were announced on Israeli TV. |
Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, had held a solid lead in opinion polls prior to the election, but Kadima, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, closed the gap in the final days. | |
Despite the exit polls, Mr Netanyahu's party claimed victory, saying Likud was in a strong position to create a majority in parliament. | |
"I am certain that Netanyahu will be the next prime minister," said Likud candidate Gilad Erdan. "Netanyahu has a clear advantage because the right-wing parties have a larger bloc." | |
Lieberman has emerged as the kingmaker Prof Menachem HofnungHebrew University class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7878046.stm">Jeremy Bowen election diary | |
Correspondents say that a right-wing coalition would complicate things for US President Barack Obama, who is promising a strong push for peace in the Middle East. | |
Analysts say Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beitenu, could be a key figure in deciding the next government. | |
"Lieberman has emerged as the kingmaker," said Menachem Hofnung, a professor of political science at Hebrew University. | |
"He is the winner of these elections and it depends on who he sides with over the next few weeks as to who will be prime minister." | |
Coalition task | |
Elections were called early after Ms Livni failed to form a new government following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down last year amid a corruption probe against him. | |
Even if the exit polls are proved right, a strong showing by right-wing rivals will make it difficult for Ms Livni to form a coalition government. | |
Israel's president traditionally chooses the leader of the party that wins the most parliamentary seats to form a coalition government. | Israel's president traditionally chooses the leader of the party that wins the most parliamentary seats to form a coalition government. |
But he can also choose any party leader who he believes has the best chance of doing so. | But he can also choose any party leader who he believes has the best chance of doing so. |
President Shimon Peres is expected to hold talks with party leaders later this week, after the final results are in. | President Shimon Peres is expected to hold talks with party leaders later this week, after the final results are in. |
Once he has asked a party leader to form a government, he or she has up to 42 days to do so. If the coalition attempt fails, Mr Peres can ask another leader to assume the task. | Once he has asked a party leader to form a government, he or she has up to 42 days to do so. If the coalition attempt fails, Mr Peres can ask another leader to assume the task. |