Unity Government Fails in Polls

YERUSHALAYIM

The Israeli public had its say about the much discussed possibility of a unity government on Monday, as polls indicated that they are heavily against it, and not very pleased with the country’s two biggest parties either.

Some 53 percent of respondents in a Midgam/iPanels Institute poll said they oppose the addition of Zionist Camp to the Likud-led coalition, versus 24 in favor. Within Zionist Camp, the numbers were 60/36.

A second poll by Channel 10 had 50 percent against a unity government, 26 percent for it, and 24 percent who said they didn’t know.

Both polls tested the electoral strength of the various parties and found significant shifts, with Likud and Zionist Camp losing seats, while Yesh Atid more than doubled its strength.

If elections were held in May 2016, according to Midgam/iPanels, Likud would drop from 30 to 27 seats; Yesh Atid, would go from 7 to 18; Zionist Camp would lose 7 seats to 17 total; the Joint List would remain at 13 seats; Kulanu would slip from 10 to 7; Jewish Home would gain 2 seats to make 10; Yisrael Beiteinu would regain 3 seats, or 9 total; United Torah Judaism would increase from 6 to 7, and Shas would go from 7 to 6. Meretz would pick up a seat to make a total of 6.

According to Channel 10, the changes would be more dramatic, with Likud dropping from 30 to 25; Yesh Atid 7/20; Zionist Camp 24/13; Jewish Home 8/12; Yisrael Beiteinu 6/9; Kulanu 10/9; Meretz 5/6; Shas 7/6; and UTJ 6/6.

As always, it must be noted that the Israeli electoral picture is given to sudden, precipitous fluctuations, and even if the polls are accurate, the results of an actual election might be very different.

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