Elections again? The scenario that could send Israel back to the polls

Israel is heading to the polls for the 26th Knesset elections. Alongside the possibility of forming a government, there is concern over a scenario of inconclusive results that could lead to additional elections. The article reviews the constitutional stages: a first candidate for 28 days (with a 14-day extension), a second candidate for 28 days, a 21-day period for 61 MKs to request a candidate, who then gets 14 days. If all attempts fail, the Knesset dissolves and elections are held within 90 days.

Four years after the elections for the 25th Knesset, Israel is going to the polls today (Tuesday, October 26, 2026) to vote in the elections for the 26th Knesset. Alongside the possibility that one of the blocs will achieve a majority and form a government, the political system is also preparing for a scenario of results that will not allow the formation of a coalition, failure of negotiations between the parties, and ultimately the dissolution of the Knesset and going to additional elections. The article reviews the constitutional stages: the president entrusts the task of forming the government to a first candidate for 28 days with the possibility of a 14-day extension. If he fails, the president can entrust a second candidate for 28 days without an extension. After that, there is a 21-day period in which 61 Knesset members can request to entrust the task to a specific candidate, who will receive 14 days. If all attempts fail, the Knesset dissolves and elections are held within 90 days. The article notes that recent polls show different pictures, with a Channel 14 poll giving the Netanyahu bloc 62 seats, but other polls placed the bloc far from a majority of 61. The headline hints at a certain scenario of additional elections, but the body presents only a possibility.