After claiming a ‘giant victory’ in the parliamentary election, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday pleaded with members of rival parties to put aside personal differences and partner with him to create a coalition government, warning of a fifth rapid-free election otherwise. Netanyahu may have recognized that he may fall short of the votes he needs to build a viable coalition after a fourth indecisive election, according to The Times of Israel.

“A clear majority” of the newly-elected 120 Members of Knesset (MK) share his overall policies and thus he intended to spend the next few days talking with all MKs who might be willing to help build a stable government, said the Prime Minister. The only alternative to a coalition under his leadership would be another national vote, he reiterated.

As ballots were being counted through the night, updated exit polls suggested neither Netanyahu nor any of his rivals had a clear path to a Knesset majority.

In the fourth election in two years, over 63 per cent of votes have been counted as of Wednesday, but no clear winner has emerged so far, according to The Times of Israel.