The Likud party is likely to win 30 seats, one seat more than its rival, the Blue and White party, in upcoming general elections in Israel.
The Blue and White party is projected to lose six of its 35 seats, according to a poll conducted by the Midgam agency on behalf of Channel 12.
According to the survey, the “United Right” list would win 11 seats, as would the Arab Joint List party.
In previous elections, the Likud and Blue and White got the same numbers. However, Likud leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who won more seats in the right-wing coalition, failed to form a government, prompting the new elections that are scheduled for September 17.
This means Yisrael Beitenu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman, will play a deciding role in who forms a government.
Any bloc needs 61 seats to control the formation of the government.
Nevertheless, for voters in the poll, Netanyahu is still the most favored to form the next government with 41 percent, compared to 32 percent for Benny Gantz of the Blue and White.
During the poll, Likud members were asked to choose their candidate likely to succeed Netanyahu from within the party if he could not form the next government.
Knesset member Gideon Saar, Netanyahu's most prominent opponent within the party, came first with 22 percent. Minister of Internal Security Gilad Erdan and Minister of Culture Miri Regev each received 12 percent, Foreign Minister Israel Katz 9 percent and Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein 6 percent.
The results raise concerns about the persistence of the state of uncertainty in Israel.
Netanyahu has many options, including joining a coalition with the Blue and White, striking a deal with Lieberman, or failing again to form a government.
The Blue and White party has said it would ally itself with the Likud only if Netanyahu is left out of the picture.
