Speaking with Tal Schneider of Globes over the weekend, MK Yair Lapid addressed a number of issues, expressing a willingness to sit in the same coalition as the chareidim.

What happens if elections end in a tie?
This cannot happen. Blue & White must be the largest party. Once Avigdor Lieberman announced he will recommend the presidential mandate go the largest party, the rules of the game changed. his announcement breaks the tie. The largest party will assemble the coalition. If Likud is the largest party, Lieberman will go with Netanyahu. But, if we are the largest party, he will recommend us.

Lapid had harsh words for former prime minister, Ehud Barak, who chairs the Democratic Israel party. “Barak is in a campaign to strengthen a party that will not pass the minimum required number of votes and this is very dangerous. I think that if he is responsible, then he will drop out of the race”.

When asked if he will be Finance Minister again, Lapid answered he plans to serve as Foreign Minister if Blue & White assembles a coalition.

Do you want to have the chareidim sitting in a coalition with you?
“I am not establishing coalitions now. I saw the movie on Golda Meir. There is a marvelous portion on establishing a coalition. She responded, ‘I have many other real problems. Why should I now entertain a question of what if?’ I do not disqualify anyone”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)