Not waiting: Yair Golan already preparing coalition agreements | First publication

Walla has learned that Yair Golan's Democrats party is operating a preparatory team for coalition negotiations, including formulating principled demands and a list of desired ministries, out of fear of repeating the trauma of the change government where Meretz was a minority with influence.

Walla News revealed this morning (Tuesday) that the Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, has already begun preparations for coalition negotiations after the elections, even though they are expected to take place only at the end of October and their outcome is unknown. According to the report, a dedicated team is operating within the party, formulating a foundation of demands and coalition agreements, aiming to arrive at negotiations with an organized document rather than settling for portfolio distribution. Behind the preparations lies a political concern: even if the change bloc wins, the next government may include parties such as those of Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, who are ideologically divided from Golan on many issues. The Democrats want to ensure they do not become a minority in the coalition, but rather an influential force. The background to this is the trauma from the previous change government, where Meretz—which received the Health Ministry—struggled to translate power into influence on the agenda. This time, the party is formulating principled demands in the areas of democracy, rule of law, and the judicial system, as well as a list of key ministries: Defense, Justice, Education, Public Security, and Communications. A party source told Walla: "We will not be surplus weight. They won't throw us a portfolio and say 'take it and say thank you.'"