It is not certain if citizens are voting for Likud’s new all star lineup or against Kadima and Tzipi Livni, but a New Wave poll commissioned by the daily Yisrael HaYom shows a Likud advance among voters.
While previous polls showed Likud and Kadima tied or separated by one mandate, this poll shows Likud with 33 seats, followed by Kadima with 28. The big loser is Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s Labor party, with 11 seats, a sharp drop from today’s 19.
Other parties as follows: (Parenthesis indicates number of mandates in current Knesset).
Shas 10 (12)
Arab parties 10 (10)
Yisrael Beitenu 7 (11)
Meretz 7 (5)
NU/NRP 6 (9)
UTJ 5 (6)
Yerukim ` (-)
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
One Response
Like most Israeli polls, it probably leans left BUT
if it is accurate, then the only way Likud could form of government is with the Hareidim (Shas/UTJ) AND Yisrael Beiteinu. GIven the latter’s demands (civil marriage, conscripting yeshiva students, etc.) it is unlikely to work leading to a Kadimah government that includes Hareidim. Of course, the poll probably leans to the left meaning Likud might be in a situation to govern with Shas/UTJ OR Yisrael Beiteinu and will be able to play them off against each other.