This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/29/likud-merger-approved-elections
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Realigned Israeli right to contest January's general elections | Realigned Israeli right to contest January's general elections |
| (5 months later) | |
| A realignment of the Israeli right, involving the merger of the ruling Likud party with the extreme rightwing party led by foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, is to be offered to voters in January's general election following its approval on Monday evening. | A realignment of the Israeli right, involving the merger of the ruling Likud party with the extreme rightwing party led by foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, is to be offered to voters in January's general election following its approval on Monday evening. |
| The new party, which will continue to be led by prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, is expected to win the largest share of seats in the next parliament despite mixed opinion polls. Some surveys suggested that traditional Likud voters may be put off by an alliance with Yisrael Beiteinu, Lieberman's party, which holds hardline positions in favour of settlers and against peace talks with the Palestinians. | The new party, which will continue to be led by prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, is expected to win the largest share of seats in the next parliament despite mixed opinion polls. Some surveys suggested that traditional Likud voters may be put off by an alliance with Yisrael Beiteinu, Lieberman's party, which holds hardline positions in favour of settlers and against peace talks with the Palestinians. |
| At the Likud central committee meeting which approved the merger, Netanyahu sought to allay fears of a Lieberman succession at the party's helm, saying he intended to lead the country for many years to come. "This is an important step on the way to the unification of the right," he said. | At the Likud central committee meeting which approved the merger, Netanyahu sought to allay fears of a Lieberman succession at the party's helm, saying he intended to lead the country for many years to come. "This is an important step on the way to the unification of the right," he said. |
| The move, announced by the two party leaders last week, encountered criticism from some senior figures within Likud. One minister, Michael Eitan, said the merger would "threaten Israeli democracy". However, Monday evening's meeting endorsed it with an overwhelming majority. | The move, announced by the two party leaders last week, encountered criticism from some senior figures within Likud. One minister, Michael Eitan, said the merger would "threaten Israeli democracy". However, Monday evening's meeting endorsed it with an overwhelming majority. |
| According to one opinion poll published on Monday, the new party can expect to win up to 42 parliamentary seats, the same number that the two parties currently hold. However, a second poll predicted a drop to 35 seats in the 120-member parliament. On either forecast, Netanyahu would be expected to lead another coalition government, the inevitable outcome of Israel's electoral system of proportional representation. | According to one opinion poll published on Monday, the new party can expect to win up to 42 parliamentary seats, the same number that the two parties currently hold. However, a second poll predicted a drop to 35 seats in the 120-member parliament. On either forecast, Netanyahu would be expected to lead another coalition government, the inevitable outcome of Israel's electoral system of proportional representation. |
| Lieberman, who has been shunned by western governments and diplomats for his extreme and uncompromising views, is set to become a central force in Israeli politics. Commentators have pointed out that Netanyahu will no longer be able to dismiss his views as unrepresentative of Israel's foremost party. | Lieberman, who has been shunned by western governments and diplomats for his extreme and uncompromising views, is set to become a central force in Israeli politics. Commentators have pointed out that Netanyahu will no longer be able to dismiss his views as unrepresentative of Israel's foremost party. |
| Critics of the pact have suggested that Lieberman's strategy is to succeed Netanyahu, or even strike a deal for a rotating premiership. | Critics of the pact have suggested that Lieberman's strategy is to succeed Netanyahu, or even strike a deal for a rotating premiership. |
| Predicting that the merger would strengthen Netanyahu's hand with regard to a possible Israeli military strike against the Iranian nuclear programme, Aluf Benn, the editor-in-chief of Haaretz, wrote: "With Lieberman as second in command and heir to the throne, and his supporters in prominent spots on the joint ticket, Likud will become a radical rightwing party, aggressive and xenophobic, that revels in Israel's isolation and sees the Arab community as a domestic enemy and a danger to the state." | Predicting that the merger would strengthen Netanyahu's hand with regard to a possible Israeli military strike against the Iranian nuclear programme, Aluf Benn, the editor-in-chief of Haaretz, wrote: "With Lieberman as second in command and heir to the throne, and his supporters in prominent spots on the joint ticket, Likud will become a radical rightwing party, aggressive and xenophobic, that revels in Israel's isolation and sees the Arab community as a domestic enemy and a danger to the state." |
| . | . |
| guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am |