Israeli Exit Polls Give Livni's Kadima Small Lead
By VOA News
10 February 2009
Israeli exit polls indicate Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima Party has a narrow lead over the nationalist Likud Party in Israel's parliamentary election.
Surveys released as voting ended Tuesday indicate the ruling Kadima Party may win about two seats more than the opposition Likud faction of Benjamin Netanyahu.
But the exit polls suggest that Likud and its allies will have a majority of seats in the 120-member chamber. If the surveys are confirmed, it would be difficult for Ms. Livni's Kadima and her allies to form a governing coalition.
Kadima and Likud both declared victory, saying they expect to lead the next government. Exit polls show the ultranationlist Yisrael Beiteinu party is likely to become the third largest in parliament, giving it major influence in coalition negotiations.
Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erakat says he does not expect Israel's next government to be able to make progress in peace talks with the West Bank government of Mahmoud Abbas.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip dismissed the election as having little impact on its conflict with Israel.
Initial election results are likely to be issued in the coming hours. Voter turnout was about 65 percent, higher than Israel's last parliamentary polls in 2006, despite stormy weather on election day.
Mr. Netanyahu has vowed to crush Hamas and is wary of conceding territory to Palestinians. Ms. Livni says she supports the creation of a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.
Once the results are finalized, Israel's president will pick the person he thinks best able to form a coalition. He is not bound to pick the leader of the party that received the most votes.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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