So the exit polls are in:

[B]Kadima[/B] 29-32

[B]Labour [/B]20-22

[B]Likud [/B]11-14

Suprise of the elections [B]Pensioners Party[/B] 6-8

THe Knesset, the government, has 120 seats. Proportional Representation.

Final result should be in by the morning.

One thing clear, this looks like the death of the Likud party :p :p :p

Will post final result and anylasis later when I've stopped dancing.

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

... and we have a winner:

Kadima: 28 Labour: 20 Shas: 13 Yisrael Beitenu: 12 Likud: 11

Those coalition talks are going to be interesting me thinks...

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

[quote=KinKyJ]... and we have a winner: [/quote]

Almost a winner KinKyJ.We have to wait for the final distribution of votes. . . .

Likely coalition involving Kadima, Labour, Pensioners, UTJ and hopefully Meretz.

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

The count has just been confirmed as follows:-

Kadima 29 Labor 20
Shas 12 Likud 12 Yisrael Beiteinu 11 National Union-NRP 9 Pensioners' Party 7 United Torah Judaism 6 Meretz 5 Ra'am-Ta'al 3 Hadash 3 Balad 3

The most likely coalition scenario is Kadima, Labor, Pensioners and Meretz - this would give Olmert 61 seats. Additionally its being said that both Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu would be brought into the coalition, but as their seats are not necessary, the likelihood of them getting any main ministries is low.

Over the next few weeks we're going to play the game of 'who wants what' in the 17th Knesset.

One thing is clear, whoever joins the coalition, is going to have to pay attention to two main issues, firstly social policy and secondly, what we Israelis euphamesticaly call, diplomacy.

Let the games begin!!!!!

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

You know what I find ironic? Now that Likud finally got out of the picture and the road to dialogue is open, you've got a bunch of elected terrorists on the other side of the wall.

I'm very curious how Olmert is going to deal with things, but I have the impression that at least for Israel he's good news. (correct me if I'm wrong Dave)

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

[quote=KinKyJ]You know what I find ironic? Now that Likud finally got out of the picture and the road to dialogue is open, you've got a bunch of elected terrorists on the other side of the wall.

I'm very curious how Olmert is going to deal with things, but I have the impression that at least for Israel he's good news. (correct me if I'm wrong Dave)[/quote]

KinKy, I think its more of he was the best out of a bad lot.

Whilst I believe that Kadimas policy of needing to define borders during the next Knesset, as well as re-evaluating the countrys social policies, are right, I would rather this 'diplomatic' move, as its called here, is done in collaboration with the PA.

Where Olmert is different to all the others on the centre/left is that he is maintaining that if it can't be done bilaterally, then it will have to be done unilaterally.

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

Well, I think the region needs strong leadership from someone who's not preoccupied with an electoral agenda and therefore kissing the ass of extremist minorities. And saying that if it can't be done bilaterally, it will be done unilaterally is imo strong leadership... Although much is going to depend on Hamas...

Btw, speaking of which: Israelis tend to get on our case because our government often was sympathetical to the Palestinians, but during the past week the government gave a strong signal that they support the Palestinians and not the suicide bombers. The European Commission invited an elected representative of Hamas, but the Belgian authorities refused to give him a visum. What can I say? We like beer and fries, not terrorists and fanatics ;)

Re: Israeli Elections 2006

Well .. I'm Muslim and Egyptian, and I admit that this elections was one of the most Democratic elections I saw in my life .. alot of people here in Egypt (actually idiots) say "how Israel can be a democratic country with all it does with palestinians and muslims??" and for those I always tell them that there is a big difference between Democrasy which is the relation between the goverment and the nation or the people) and International Relationships or External policy which is the relation between any country or goverment with any other people