INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
By Alex Rossi, Middle East correspondent Election promises and the hangover of the night before.Benjamin Netanyahu will be in celebration
mode but he will also be aware that the right-wing coalition he's about to build will demand a high price for loyalty.Under the country's
system of proportional representation no single party has ever had, since the violent birth of the state in 1948, an overall majority -
building alliances is key.Mr Netanyahu is Marmite on steroids, a highly divisive figure, and his many years in power have made enemies of
people he will now be trying to woo.Image:Mr Netanyahu looks to have secured a record fifth term as PMThe vote is one thing then, but the
horse trading starts now and despite his electoral success it's expected the man known in Israel as "Bibi" will have to make some pretty big
promises to form a government.Acting on his pledge to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, where there are Jewish settlements, may just be
the opening gambit demand of his new right-wing partners.There's also suspicion he may link that bargain, along with throwing in baubles of
cabinet positions, to something else, which could have huge implications for Israeli democracy.Image:Election rival Benny Gantz presented
himself as a scandal-free alternativeThere is speculation he may attempt to force through legislation giving himself immunity from
prosecution.Another option would be to convince his partners not to ditch him if he goes on trial - no easy task.He is facing serious
criminal allegations of corruption and bribery.Mr Netanyahu has always maintained his innocence, characterising the investigations against
him as a left-wing conspiracy cooked up by his enemies.But his judicial problems will not go away easily and it could mean that his record
fifth term in office is cut short.If he cannot slip the legal knot he may be forced to resign early; the weight of the law and his prime
ministerial duties becoming too much to bear.
