Likud Fears Small Parties Could Cost Right-Wing Bloc 61 Seats
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The Likud party is concerned that smaller parties failing to cross the electoral threshold could cost the right-wing bloc up to five Knesset seats, potentially preventing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a 61-seat majority. While some in Likud pressure these parties to withdraw, others believe assisting candidate Ofer Vinter could be crucial for reaching the majority. Vinter is reportedly willing to withdraw if other small parties do the same, aiming to prevent vote wastage before the upcoming election.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud fears losing up to five seats if small parties fail to cross the electoral threshold.
- This could prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc from achieving a 61-seat majority.
- Some Likud members believe assisting candidate Ofer Vinter is key to reaching 61 seats.
- Vinter is reportedly willing to withdraw if other small parties make similar commitments.
- The pre-election battle focuses on who will remain in the race and who must withdraw.
Within the Likud party, there are concerns that if smaller parties fail to cross the electoral threshold, the right-wing bloc could lose up to five Knesset seats. This scenario could prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc from achieving the necessary 61 seats for a majority. The party is reportedly exerting significant pressure on these smaller parties to withdraw from the race, while also urging Likud and right-wing voters to turn out in large numbers.
The dilemma for Netanyahu is twofold: if a small party remains in the running and doesn't pass the threshold, it risks wasting votes that could have gone to the right-wing bloc. Conversely, if a small party does pass the threshold, it could become a kingmaker, potentially leveraging its position for its own benefit in coalition negotiations, not necessarily in favor of a Netanyahu-led government.
Internal Likud discussions suggest that several percentage points of votes could be lost, potentially amounting to around five seats, if parties like Noam and "The Haredi Public" do not secure enough votes to enter the Knesset. This situation intensifies the pre-election battle, which is not just about the size of individual parties but also about who will remain in the race and who will need to step aside to prevent vote wastage.
However, some within Likud hold a different view, arguing that attacking candidate Ofer Vinter is a strategic mistake. These voices suggest that instead of pushing for his withdrawal, the Likud should assist Vinter in crossing the electoral threshold, believing he might be the key to reaching 61 seats for the right-wing bloc. Reports indicate that Vinter himself is prepared to withdraw if other small parties make similar commitments, ensuring that if one fails to pass the threshold, it will clear the way for others.
