Former Minister of Social Services (Yesh Atid) Meir Cohen announced on Thursday 19 Kislev that talks are taking place between the heads of the Yisrael Beitenu, Yesh Atid and Kulanu parties. He explains that Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Lapid and Moshe Kahlon are continuing to probe an alignment despite reports earlier in the week that Kahlon declined an offer to enter into an agreement with Yair Lapid.

In a statement released on Thursday, Kahlon insists he is not negotiating with Lapid and he will not align with Yesh Atid.

Cohen added that there were also talks between Lapid and The Movement party head Tzipi Livni, but those talks did not materialize as Livni insisted on a rotation agreement, which she received from the Labor party.

Livni has since aligned with the Labor party and the deal includes she would rotate with Labor leader Yitzchak Herzog and serve as prime minister during the final two years of the four-year term.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)