Netanyahu has failed to form a government, sending Israelis back to the voting booth

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to form a government by a midnight deadline, forcing a brand-new round of elections in September.

The development comes barely two months after Netanyahu declared victory in the April 9 elections, where he appeared to have secured a record fifth term.

The Knesset (Israel’s parliament) voted to dissolve late Wednesday local time after a political stalemate among Netanyahu’s allies thwarted his attempt to cobble together a coalition before the deadline. It’s the first time in Israel’s history that the expected prime minister has failed to form a government.

Now Israel is set to hold another round of elections on September 17, which means it likely won’t form a government until November. The fallout from this political drama is still unfolding, but it’s definitely an unexpected twist in the results of one of Israel's most consequential elections in years.

Read the full article and more in Vox.