Lieberman Eyes Prime Minister Role in New Right-Wing Bloc

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, is reportedly formulating a new strategic plan aimed at securing the prime ministership, potentially bypassing Gadi Eisenkot. The emerging strategy, developed in a limited partnership, envisions Lieberman establishing a new right-wing bloc immediately after elections, should Netanyahu fail to secure 61 mandates. This bloc would bolster Lieberman's negotiating power for coalition talks, enabling him to demand the prime minister role, at least in a rotation where he would serve first and Eisenkot second.

Lieberman is said to argue in private conversations that his extensive experience as Defense, Foreign, and Finance Minister makes him the most qualified candidate in the opposition, contrasting this with Eisenkot's lack of ministerial and economic experience. A key objective of this move is to create a right-wing alternative within what is perceived as a left-leaning bloc, based on the understanding that relying on Eisenkot would hinder the inclusion of right-wing figures like Bezalel Smotrich and elements of the Likud party.

To this end, Lieberman is reportedly collaborating with Naftali Bennett on the plan, with Ofer Winter expected to become more involved post-election. The strategy also includes a significant effort to persuade Knesset members from the Likud's back benches to defect, aiming to secure a coalition majority without needing to depend on Arab parties.

In a subsequent phase, Lieberman plans to approach Bezalel Smotrich to convince him to join a government led by Lieberman. He would frame this as a "full right-wing government" due to his own leadership. This maneuver is considered more feasible under Lieberman, who has pledged not to sit with "Democrats" and Arab parties, compared to Eisenkot, who is perceived as less right-wing by some voters, or Bennett, who still faces significant resentment within the right-wing camp.