Looking at the negotiations for a merger among the center-Left parties one can only realize the camp is devoid of any leadership.
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The leaders of Labor, the Israelis party, Tnufa, Yesh Atid, and other fad parties, cannot seem to put the greater good before their own interest as none of them is willing to set aside their desire to head whatever alliance is formed.
Things may change by next week's deadline of presenting the final slates to the Central Election Committee, but chances seem slim. The Left will arrive at the Match 23 elections with too many tiny factions that will not cross the prerequisite four-Knesset-seat electoral threshold, costing the bloc precious votes.
Things are much clearer on the Right. Just as ahead of the three previous elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will call the national religious parties to order thus ensuring the right-wing bloc arrives at the finish line as united as possible.
If he is able to do so – particularly ensuring Otzma Yehudit head Itamar Ben Gvir is included despite the fact the move makes many uncomfortable – he could rectify what happened ahead of the April 2019 elections, when the Right's dream coalition faded over the fact that Yamina was missing 1,400 votes to cross the electoral threshold.
This does not discount a last-minute merger with New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar. He may have broken away from Likud, but as both parties are now slipping in the polls, they could find a way to see eye to eye again.
Things are hardly as clear-cut for the Left, where no one seems to bother making order out of chaos. Right now, the only plausible alliance is between Labor and the Israelis party, both of which are teetering on the brink of the electoral threshold, but neither is aiming higher, for a potential merger with Yesh Atid, for example.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid seems willing to join forces with anyone at the moment, as long as he heads said alliance. Again, this will only lead to more squandered votes.
Once the final slates are named things will seem clearer, as will the balance of power. But the main question will stay the same? Will Netanyahu be able to form a coalition?
His chances seem shakier than ever, but this also increases the risk that Israel will plunged into a fifth election campaign sooner, rather than later.
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