Former Likud Minister Gilad Erdan Plans New Right-Liberal Party Ahead of 2026 Elections

With the 2026 Israeli elections less than 100 days away, former Likud senior official Gilad Erdan is preparing to officially launch a new right-liberal political party next week. According to a report by Kan News, the party will promote an ideological stance rejecting narrow coalition governments and will call exclusively for the formation of a broad Zionist government. The party’s central platform will focus on the issue of military conscription and equal burden sharing, led by former Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, who is expected to be the party’s second candidate.

Erdan is currently assembling a team of candidates and is in advanced talks with public figures including former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch and Shavot Ra’anan, a founder of the Forum of Reservist Women. However, former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked is not expected to join this initiative. Additionally, despite discussions with National Unity chairman Benny Gantz, a merger is not currently planned, partly due to Gantz’s demand to lead any united list.

Erdan’s team indicates that preparations for the official announcement will be completed in the coming days, but the final decision to proceed will depend on securing sufficient resources to ensure electoral success.