Being the leader of the biggest party, Netanyahu remains on course to continue as prime minister.

 

　　However, forming a stable coalition will be a tough political challenge for him, according to Dr. Yehuda Ben Meir, Director of National Security and Public Opinion Project at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel.

 

　　"If Netanyahu had 40 members, 40 seats, it will be much easier to make a coalition. He's in a weaker position now because his party lost over 20 percent of membership. His is the leading party, but a party which has basically that even won 50% of the coalition. That is a difficult situation to start up with."

 

　　Netanyahu says he will establish a wide government to face the challenges and goals ahead, and has begun this mission right after the elections.

 

　　"I see many partners to this goal. We will join hands, and with God's help, in cooperation, in a wide government, together we will succeed."

 

　　Among the centre-left bloc, Yesh Atid, a new centrist party led by the former television personality Yair Lapid, won 19 seats.

 

　　Lapid has voiced firm support for a coalition led by Netanyahu.

 

　　Professor Eytan Gilboa of Bar-Ilan University says the rise of power of centre-left parties could help to establish a more stable and broader government, and Lapid will probably be a very influential partner in the new coalition government.

 

　　"Netanyahu would like to have a coalition broad enough to help him cope with domestic and international challenges, a centrist party is essential to do that. A centrist party would moderate government policy on issues such as investments, settlement in west bank, and perhaps would help the prime minister to initiate new steps towards the Palestinians."

 

　　The Netanyahu coalition must be formed within 42 days of the final results.

 

　　For CRI, this is Su Yi.