Gantz first, Shaked to choose role: the emerging outline for a possible union

Benny Gantz and Ayelet Shaked are negotiating a political union ahead of the October 27 elections. Under the outline, Gantz would be placed first on the list, and Shaked would get first choice of a government role. Partners in the center-right bloc estimate that an additional union will be needed to pass the electoral threshold. Meanwhile, Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein announced a new party and hope to take votes from the coalition.

Benny Gantz and Ayelet Shaked have been conducting negotiations for a political union in recent days, aiming to run together in the elections scheduled for October 27. According to the outline being considered, Gantz would be placed first on the joint list or body, but Shaked would receive the first right to choose a ministerial role. The former justice minister has been managing the talks about her return to political life, but Gantz was not willing to give up the top spot. The move comes amid assessments by all partners in the center-right bloc that an additional union will be required before the deadline for submitting lists, in order to pass the electoral threshold. Meanwhile, Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein announced a joint run under a new party, believing they will take votes from the current coalition. The partners in the third bloc believe that five weeks before the closing of lists, further unions will have to be made to avoid arriving too small on election day.