Netanyahu ignored socio-economic issues
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enjoyed a reputation of a strong-willed finance minister who can change the system, but has failed in harnessing these capabilities into confronting the dire socio-economic situation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a small strategic planning meeting last week in his Jerusalem home on Balfour Street. The Likud Party’s showing in the polls appears poor, and the two mandates that were added after Netanyahu’s congressional speech March 3 have disintegrated. The gap between it and the Zionist Camp party grew to four mandates — to the Likud's detriment.
Throughout his campaign, Netanyahu insisted on focusing the debate on the diplomatic/security agenda, with the goal of dragging Zionist Camp Chairman Isaac Herzog into turf where Netanyahu has the upper hand. Suddenly, however, the prime minister changed his strategy. Netanyahu said it was a big mistake for him to wriggle out of dealing with socio-economic issues in his campaign, leaving them to Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid and Kulanu head Moshe Kahlon.
In Kahlon's case — who left the Likud and attracted social justice votes away from the party — this could inflict serious electoral damage on the Likud. It might even lead to Netanyahu’s ouster.
According to some surveys, the Kulanu Party may garner about 10 mandates, guaranteeing Kahlon a key role in establishing the next government. Neither Netanyahu nor Herzog will be able to assemble a government without him. In either case, he could serve as Israel's next finance minister.
