Netanyahu signals shift, seeks broad national government after election

Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister and leads a right-wing government in which several ultranationalists hold ministerial positions.

Netanyahu's bid for re-election as leader of the right-wing conservative Likud party was announced just over two weeks ago. On Saturday, he signaled a shift in government partnerships ahead of the October 27 parliamentary elections.

"I intend to form a broad national government. Not a right-wing government, not a left-wing government that depends on Arab parties, but a broad national government," Netanyahu said at a press conference.

A recent opinion poll shows that a majority wants Netanyahu to leave office.