Lieberman Warns of Minority Government, Netanyahu's Potential 70-Seat Win
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, warned that a minority government could lead to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu winning 70 seats in the next election. He argued that such a government would be unstable and that the public has shifted rightward since October 7th. Lieberman also criticized Gadi Eisenkot, suggesting his campaign aims to divide their bloc and that Eisenkot might be seeking a rotation deal with Netanyahu. Lieberman stressed that four parties in their bloc must secure a solid majority to prevent this outcome.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman warned a minority government could help Benjamin Netanyahu win 70 Knesset seats.
- Lieberman desires a Zionist government and calls minority government talks a dangerous trap.
- He believes the Israeli public has shifted rightward since October 7th.
- Lieberman criticized Gadi Eisenkot, calling his campaign a vote-siphoning tactic.
- Lieberman suggested Eisenkot might seek a rotation deal with Netanyahu and Haredi parties.
- Lieberman stated four parties in their bloc must achieve a solid majority to prevent this scenario.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, expressed concern on Sunday about the possibility of a minority government being formed, warning that such a scenario could lead to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu securing 70 Knesset seats in a subsequent election. Lieberman stated in an interview with 103FM radio that a minority government would not last and would ultimately benefit Netanyahu. He emphasized his desire for a "Zionist government" composed solely of Zionist parties, calling discussions of a minority government a "dangerous trap."
Lieberman believes the Israeli public has shifted rightward since October 7th and that winning an election requires moving three to four mandates from one bloc to another to ensure the "serving bloc" defeats the "evading bloc." He attributed his recent strong statements to this fear of a minority government.
These remarks follow Lieberman's recent criticisms of his bloc's members, despite an agreement reached at a meeting hosted by opposition leader Yair Lapid. Two days prior, Lieberman targeted Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the party currently leading in polls, likening him to "Gantz 2" and suggesting Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign aims to siphon votes within their own bloc rather than attract them from the opposing bloc.
Lieberman concluded that Eisenkot intends to form a government with Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties, using the possibility of a minority government as leverage to secure the first rotation spot as prime minister. According to Lieberman, the only way to prevent this scenario is for the four parties in their bloc to achieve a "solid majority."
