Likud Considers Surplus Vote Pact With Ofer Vinter's Party

The ruling Likud party is reportedly considering offering a surplus vote agreement to the "Amcha Israel" party, led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Vinter, ahead of the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. A senior Likud official told C14 that Vinter's response to such a proposal could shape the Likud's campaign strategy towards his party.

A surplus vote agreement allows two parties to pool their excess votes after the electoral threshold is met, potentially securing more mandates. Such an agreement is only valid if both parties pass the threshold, and each party can only sign one such pact.

This potential offer comes amid broader efforts within the right-wing bloc to consolidate and reduce the number of competing lists, driven by concerns over votes being lost below the electoral threshold. Vinter has previously stated his party's alignment with the right and his intention to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. However, he has also set a condition for joining a government: the passage of a service law before the government is sworn in.

The decision by Vinter to accept or reject a surplus vote deal with Likud could signal whether "Amcha Israel" intends to integrate more closely with the Likud within the right-wing bloc or maintain a more independent stance.