Coalition Talks Progressing

Coalition negotiations with the Likud are advancing, as the current deadline for forming a coalition draws near.

According to Globes, an agreement will soon be reached with Bayit Yehudi.

Naftali Bennett would keep his existing position as Minister of the Economy, where he did very well. Bennett would also get the Ministry of Strategic Affairs.

Uri Ariel would leave the Ministry of Building and Construction and transfer to the Ministry of Agriculture.

A Ministerial position will also be reserved for Ayelet Shaked.

The Likud team wants to try to reach an agreement with Moshe Kachalon's Kulanu party by Independence Day next week. Kachlon was offered the Ministry of Finance.

Netanyahu has asked Aryeh Deri of Shas to take the Ministry of Transportation instead of the Ministry of the Interior, and UTJ has recommended to Shas that they take the offer.

Likud and UTJ seem to be on the same page.

PM Netanyahu will be meeting privately with Avigdor Liberman tomorrow to discuss Liberman's demands for the Foreign Ministry.

According to Globes, once Netanyahu reaches an agreement with Kulanu, Bayit Yehudi, Shas and UTJ, Netanyahu will decide if he will bring in either the Zionist Union or Yisrael Beyteinu into the coalition.