Likud officials told Reshet Bet Radio that negotiations on cobbling a coalition are going sluggishly, as all the parties appear to be entrenched in their opening positions. According to a senior party official, Netanyahu has run into partners with new political standards, who insist on fulfilling their promises to the voters. The same source said Netanyahu is paying the price for the Likud’s decline in power.
On Sunday, talks on a new coalition began between representatives of the Likud-Beitenu and Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid, Naftali Bennett’s Habayit Hayehudi, and Shas. The discussions revealed large gaps between the parties on the issue of “burden equality,” although MK Uri Ariel of Habayit Hayehudi estimated that the gap can be bridged.
Talks will continue today between Likud-Beitenu and representatives from Torah Judaism, Tzipi Livni’s The Movement Shaul Mofaz’s Kadima.
Livni announced on Sunday that her party’s negotiating team will be headed by Yossi Kucik, who served as former Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s chief of staff and former MK Yoel Hasson.