Diaspora Minister Warns Against Wasted Votes for New Party
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli warned that the new 'Am Israel' party, led by Ofer Winter, risks costing the right-wing bloc crucial votes in the upcoming election. Chikli believes the party will not pass the electoral threshold, potentially causing the left to win. He urged voters to support parties with a higher chance of success, citing a "99%" chance of lost votes and a "very big danger" to the formation of a national government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli fears the new 'Am Israel' party will cost the right-wing bloc critical votes.
- Chikli estimates a "99%" chance of "tens of thousands of votes" being lost to the 'Am Israel' party.
- The minister believes Ofer Winter's party will not pass the electoral threshold, potentially enabling a left-wing victory.
- Chikli drew parallels to the previous election, where Meretz's polling numbers were initially low but secured a majority.
- He urged voters to choose "certainty" and avoid "a very big danger" to forming a national government.
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli expressed concern on Sunday that the newly formed 'Am Israel' party, led by Ofer Winter, could inadvertently lead to the left winning the upcoming election by siphoning votes from right-wing parties. Chikli, speaking on 103fm radio, estimated a "99%" chance of "tens of thousands of votes" being lost if voters support Winter's party, which he believes will not pass the electoral threshold.
Chikli, a former member of the New Right party, drew parallels to the previous election, where Meretz, a left-wing party, was initially polling at six to seven seats but ultimately secured a Knesset majority. He stated that in the final moments, voters tend to choose the "certainty" of parties that will pass the threshold. "A vote for 'Am Israel' is a very big danger," Chikli warned, adding that "we may lose two critical mandates, and that is bad."
While acknowledging that he has never spoken ill of Winter, Yosef Haddad, or Lili Deri, Chikli urged Winter to be "more modest and less megalomaniacal." He differentiated Winter from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former MK Avigdor Lieberman, stating he does not believe Winter would be "spineless" ideologically or morally like Bennett. However, Chikli reiterated his primary concern: that Winter's party "may endanger the establishment of a national government and could be the one to give power to the left."
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