Likud Weighs Bennett as Key to Netanyahu's 61-Seat Goal
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Senior Likud figures are privately estimating Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc could win 55-56 seats, potentially requiring Arab party support to form a government. Their strategy focuses on preventing rivals from forming a coalition, even if Netanyahu cannot. A key scenario involves trying to recruit former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett without Yair Lapid, believing Bennett might switch allegiances again. No direct talks have occurred yet, but Likud sees this as a path to securing a governing majority.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Likud insiders estimate Netanyahu's bloc may win 55-56 seats, falling short of a majority.
- The party's strategy prioritizes preventing rivals from forming a government.
- A key scenario involves recruiting former PM Naftali Bennett without Yair Lapid.
- Likud believes Bennett might switch allegiances again, similar to past political moves.
- Repeat elections are considered a possibility if no majority is formed.
- No direct negotiations between Netanyahu's team and Bennett have occurred.
Senior figures within the Likud party are privately discussing scenarios where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc might fall short of an outright majority in the upcoming elections, estimating their potential seat count at 55-56 mandates. According to these internal discussions, such a result would necessitate significant support from Arab parties to form a government, with Ra'am's backing alone potentially insufficient. The primary objective for Netanyahu, as perceived by these Likud sources, would be to prevent his rivals from forming a government, even if he cannot form one himself.
In the event of a deadlock, Likud insiders suggest two main possibilities: a repeat election or an attempt to bring former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett into a coalition without Yair Lapid. This strategy hinges on the belief that Bennett, who previously formed a government with Lapid after pledging not to, might be persuaded to switch allegiances again. Likud strategists believe that a repeat election could politically damage Bennett, making a deal with Netanyahu a more attractive option.
These assessments are based on political calculations and discussions among Likud members involved in voter mobilization efforts. While these scenarios are being considered in closed-door meetings, the sources emphasized that no direct contact has yet been made between Netanyahu's team and Bennett or his representatives. The party's public target remains 61 mandates, but internal projections acknowledge the possibility of a narrower bloc.
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