With 99% of the votes counted, Kadima has 28 seats, the majority, verses Likud’s 27 seats, but Likud has a majority in Knesset, representing the right-wing.

It appears this will be determined by President Shimon Peres, who must decide to give the presidential mandate to one of the parties to seek to form a government. The difference between the two is 35,000 votes. It will be difficult for Peres to give the mandate to Kadima if Yisrael Beitenu recommends Likud, but it is possible. It also remains to be seen in Tzipi Livni will be able to form a stable coalition if given the opportunity.

Yisrael Beitenu is the third largest party with 15 seats, followed by Labor (13), Shas (11), Yahadut HaTorah (5), Ichud HaLeumi (4), Ra’am-Ta’al (4), Hadash (4), Bayit Yehudi (3), Meretz (3), and Balad (3). 

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)