Israel readies for fifth election in over three years

Israelis are preparing to return to the polls on 1st November. The elections are expected to be a hard-fought race between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a constellation of parties from across the political spectrum that believe he is unfit to rule. Netanyahu was Israel's longest-serving prime minister, and his Likud party came in first or a narrow second in all four elections.

IThirteen parties were elected to parliament, for instance, in last year's election. This can result in weeks of negotiations and horse-trading among various party leaders. If no one can assemble a majority, the country goes back to the polls and the government remains in place as a caretaker.