Professor Yaron Zelekha Predicts Election Mandates and Coalition Stance
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Economist Professor Yaron Zelekha, representing the 'Economic Reservists' party, stated his party will sit in opposition if their principles aren't met in coalition talks. He predicts the party will win an average of five Knesset seats according to most polls, potentially more in their internal surveys. Zelekha believes his party's strength will be crucial for forming a government, outlining three key demands: preventing draft evasion, excluding Arab parties, and controlling the Finance Ministry to reduce the cost of living.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Professor Yaron Zelekha's party will sit in opposition if coalition demands aren't met.
- The 'Economic Reservists' party expects to win an average of five Knesset seats.
- Zelekha predicts his party will be crucial for forming a government after the elections.
- Key demands include excluding Arab parties and controlling the Finance Ministry.
- The party aims to lower the cost of living and prevent draft evasion.
Professor Yaron Zelekha, an economist and second on the 'Economic Reservists' party list, stated in an interview with Radio 103FM that his party has no intention of compromising its principles in post-election coalition negotiations, even if it means sitting in the opposition. Zelekha asserted that if their demands are not met by either bloc, they will "sit in the opposition," emphasizing that it is honorable to speak truth to the public, even from the opposition benches. He believes that if the party is strong enough, a government will eventually be formed based on their principles.
Addressing poll data, Zelekha noted that most surveys, excluding Channel 24 and Channel 14, consistently show the party averaging five Knesset seats. He claimed their internal polls indicate they are close to six seats and potentially a seventh. Zelekha also predicted that his party would become the largest protest vote in Israeli history, stating that a government will not be able to be formed without them due to their significant strength in the Knesset. He expressed his belief that the "infantile bloc loyalty" will not last after the elections, making it possible to form a government without Arab parties or draft dodgers.
Zelekha outlined his party's three non-negotiable conditions for joining a coalition: forming a bloc to prevent draft evasion, excluding Arab parties, and securing the Finance Ministry portfolio for himself to lower the cost of living. He is confident that 61 mandates can be formed around these principles, citing former Prime Minister Netanyahu's ability to form a government without ultra-Orthodox parties as a precedent.
