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Benjamin Netanyahu at the ballot box
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Amir Levy/Getty Images
According to forecasts, the right-wing conservative Likud party of opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu has become the strongest force in Israel's parliamentary elections.
She got 30 to 31 out of 120 seats, according to TV forecasts.
Prime Minister Jair Lapid's Future Party came in second with 24 seats.
It is already the fifth election within three and a half years.
In what is now the 25th election, 40 lists competed.
According to official information, around 18,000 police officers were on duty on election day to ensure the security of the 6.8 million eligible voters nationwide.
Israel has been in a permanent crisis for years.
The past elections had often led to unclear majorities.
The previous eight-party coalition led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett collapsed in June after losing its majority after just 12 months.
Foreign Minister Jair Lapid then took over the post of head of government.
More soon at SPIEGEL.de
sak/dpa