What are the next steps in forming a government in Israel?

The day after the ballot box closed in Israel, the country's future is in question, with Binyamin Netanyahu winning the election but not achieving an absolute majority, which could take weeks or even months before Israel's government is formed, while Netanyahu remains in office.

With 84% of the polling stations counted, the conservative bloc led by the prime minister has won 54 seats and is seven seats out of the absolute majority, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has won 49 deputies, according to provisional data published by the Central Electoral Board, so neither has reached the minimum level of support to govern.

The outcome of all this shall depend on final scrutiny, on negotiations between the parties which do not reach the minimum, and in particular between the parties for a majority.

The law requires the official results to be published in the official gazette within eight days, so the Election Commission should publish them before November 4. According to Israeli media estimates, the final count, counting the double envelopes, will be known this Friday (October 30) . 

Once the results have been published, the new Kneset or Parliament is due to hold its first session before 10 November, at which the 120 MPs will take the oath of office. 

One of the first tasks of the new Parliament will be to elect the President of the Kneset: Netanyahu's opponents have declared that if they succeed in governing (or bringing together more), they will dismiss and replace the current President Amir Ohara of the Likud party. 

Israel 's president, Isaac Herzog, is the one who will try to form a government, and once the final results have been obtained, the president has conducted a round of consultations with all the parties represented in Parliament, which will give him their recommendations.

The official results must be presented to the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, by November 4. Within seven days of the publication of the official results, the President will consult with the political parties and entrust the member of the Kneset who has the most chance of forming a viable coalition.

The candidate will have 28 days to form a government (with a maximum extension of 14 days).  If the first attempt fails, the president will give way to a second.  And if the blocks are strained without a majority, elections may be called again.