End of merger negotiations: Erdan and Gantz will not run together in the elections
The «Achdut» and «Blue and White» parties will not unite ahead of the elections. Both parties are currently failing to cross the electoral threshold in polls, and analysts doubted that a joint list would succeed in overcoming the hurdle. Sources within Erdan's party remarked that some participants were seeking only media prominence.
Gilad Erdan and the «Achdut» party will not run together with «Blue and White» and Benny Gantz. This was announced on Friday at noon by Gantz's party, following a meeting held between the two sides.
Negotiations had been conducted in recent days, but reports indicated that the parties struggled to decide who would head the list. Sources in Erdan's party stated:
«The briefings by «Blue and White» at the moment of Erdan's departure from the meeting with Gantz show more than anything who really wanted unity and who was only interested in gaining media prominence. We have nothing but to regret that «Blue and White» never tried to discuss substantive issues and did not agree to go all the way for the sake of uniting the bloc.»
According to polls, both Erdan and Gantz are failing to pass the electoral threshold, leading them to consider running on a single list. However, Erdan's advantage in a potential alliance with Gantz was the significant funding available to «Blue and White». A source familiar with the details noted that even if the two had united, both parties would have found it difficult to pass the electoral threshold.
Erdan, who left the «Likud», established his party as part of what was defined as the «third bloc». While largely identified with right-wing positions, its leaders claim they will not provide a majority to any bloc and will instead push for a broad coalition. This bloc also includes Gantz's «Blue and White», as well as Yoaz Hendel and Chili Tropper within the framework of the «Zionist Home - The Reservists» party, which in some polls manages to pass the electoral threshold.
