Likud Figures Urge Netanyahu to Shift Surplus Agreement to Ofer Winter
Likud officials are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider a surplus-vote agreement, weighing options between Bezalel Smotrich and Ofer Winter's new party ahead of the Knesset elections.
Likud officials have intensified pressure in recent days on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staff to cancel a planned surplus-vote agreement with the Religious Zionism party and instead sign with the new Amech Yisrael party, led by Ofer Winter, if it crosses the electoral threshold.
Strategic Calculations in Likud
Two weeks ago, Likud announced its intention to sign a surplus agreement with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's party. However, the formal signing has not yet taken place. Political analysts suggest this delay is intentional, keeping options open as polling data evolves.
Likud insiders argue that if Winter firmly establishes himself above the threshold in the final weeks before the elections, partnering with him would strategically secure more votes for the right-wing bloc. They claim Winter appeals to a moderate segment of the public that does not automatically align with Likud.
Implications for the Right-Wing Bloc
"A shift in surplus agreements could reshape the distribution of residual votes and prevent valuable losses within the right-wing alliance," a senior Likud source noted.
If Likud cancels its arrangement with Smotrich and aligns with Winter, a natural surplus agreement between Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit could emerge. Conversely, sticking with Smotrich leaves Winter and Ben Gvir facing difficult tactical decisions.
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Likud will make a final decision closer to the legal deadline.
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The deadline for signing surplus agreements falls 11 days before the election.
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Poll tracking remains the decisive factor for party leadership.
