Former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat views himself as the heir to the Likud party leadership position. It is no secret that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the former mayor maintain a good relationship, and during his tenure as mayor, Barkat maintained close ties with the Prime Minister’s Office. Barkat decided to step down from office after serving two terms to permit him to enter Likud and run for a slot on the party’s election lineup. He is now serving as a Member of Knesset.

Barkat explains that when Netanyahu decides to step down as the party’s leader, he will become a candidate to become the next party leader, telling Ynet he is confident he will win a party primary for the leadership race. He explains that his vast business experience has provided him with the knowledge required to deal with and address world leaders as Mr. Netanyahu does today. He insists that none of the other contestants for the party’s leadership slot have his capabilities.

Barkat expresses his hope that Netanyahu remains at the helm of the party “for a long time” and when the time comes that he wishes to retire, he will be there to fill the void.

Mr. Barkat feels his personal wealth is also an advantage, as he took $1 annually as his salary when serving as Jerusalem’s mayor, and he plans to do the same when serving as prime minister. Hence, he is not one who can be bribed.

When questioned how PM Netanyahu can remain in office while facing numerous criminal investigations, and how he will find the time for handling the police cases against him and running the nation, he remained supportive and insists Mr. Netanyahu can and will find the time to handle his affairs without doing so at the expense of the nation.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)