MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to preliminary data on 77.8 percent of votes counted, the coalition received 65 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives 41.8 percent of votes. The Labor Party, in turn, received 67 seats or 35.4 percent of votes counted, the broadcaster ABC reported.
The media noted that Turnbull would potentially have to deal with independents and minor parties to stay in power.
76 seats are needed to form a government without the need for a post-election coalition.
Parliamentary elections are held every three years in Australia. The voters regularly elect 150 legislators to the House of Representatives and 38 out of 76 lawmakers of the Senate. After Australia's senators dismissed two draft bills proposed by the government, incumbent Prime Minister Turnbull dissolved both chambers, thus making all 226 seats in parliament eligible for election.
