Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is projected to become leader once again. 

Around 85% of the ballots from national elections were counted as of Wednesday, revealing that voters gave him and his far-right allies what appears to be a majority government in the country’s parliament.

“We have won a huge vote of confidence from the people of Israel. We are on the brink of a very big victory,” Netanyahu said at his party election headquarters early Wednesday.

“The people want a different way. They want security,” he added. 

“They want power, not weakness.” 

“They want diplomatic wisdom but with firmness.”

Interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid insisted that the race was not decided.

“Until the last envelope is counted, nothing is over and nothing is final,” he said Wednesday.

The perceived victory comes as Netanyahu faces a slew of corruption charges which supporters characterize as a witch hunt. The win would represent the third time Netanyahu becomes Israel’s Prime Minister. He previously served as PM from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to 2021.

Netanyahu, 73, was ousted from government in June of 2021 by a coalition government of eight parties, including the country’s first-ever Arab party.

But the coalition’s diversity proved too chaotic. Some parties defected within the year, prompting another election.

The 2022 election marked the country’s fifth in four years. Several political parties represent Israel. To form a ruling government, parties form coalitions to gain enough seats. 

Netanyahu’s Likud party formed a coalition including a religious Zionist party led by controversial co-leader Itamar Ben-Gvir.

According to Reuters, Ben-Gvir was convicted of inciting racism against Arabs and had previously called to expel Palestinians from Israel.