Israel's election outcome may remain unclear for weeks as coalition talks begin

Israel's parliamentary election concludes with polls closing on Tuesday evening, yet the winner of the premiership may not be known for weeks because the system awards seats to parties, not individual candidates. No major party is projected to achieve the 61-seat majority needed to govern alone, prompting reliance on coalition building. Shortly after polls close, the three leading television broadcasters will publish exit poll estimates, which are usually indicative but not definitive.

President Isaac Herzog will then meet with party leaders to ask the most promising candidate to form a government; if that effort fails within a six-week window, other leaders may be given a chance. Smaller parties hold significant sway, as they can provide the decisive margin, and both leading contenders have ruled out alliances with Arab-led parties, though such parties could still support a minority government from outside. If no coalition emerges, a new election will be scheduled, and the incumbent administration will continue in a caretaker role without major policy authority.