Likud and Religious Zionism Sign Surplus Vote Agreement Ahead of Elections
Likud and Religious Zionism signed a surplus vote agreement three weeks before the Israeli Knesset elections, leaving Otzma Yehudit isolated while opposition parties previously finalized their alliances.
Three weeks before the elections, Likud led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Religious Zionism led by Bezalel Smotrich signed a surplus vote agreement this morning. Following this move, Ofer Winter, leader of the 'Am Yisrael' party, is left with the sole option of signing a similar agreement with Otzma Yehudit, headed by Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Otzma Yehudit issued a statement saying: 'Regrettably, Likud refused to sign a surplus vote agreement with Otzma Yehudit as part of an attempt to diminish our party and keep Ben Gvir out of the unity government that Likud plans to form with Eisenkot.'
Meanwhile, the opposition bloc has already organized systematically for the elections. A month ago, surplus vote agreements were signed between Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot, and The Democrats, led by Yair Golan, as well as between Yisrael Beytenu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, and BeYachad, headed by Naftali Bennett.
A recent Channel 13 poll showed Likud narrowing the gap with Yashar, rising to 19 mandates compared to 21 for Eisenkot's party, while the entire Netanyahu bloc stood at 54 mandates against 52 for the opposition bloc.
