Amazement in Likud: popular Minister Kahlon goes home

Even if we don’t want to use the worn out coinage 'drama', it seems that this time is indeed a real earthquake.

In recent days, there were rumors that the Minister of Communications and Minister of Welfare Moshe Kahlon, is at least temporarily going to retire from political life.

But many in the Likud hoped that this is a baseless rumor, claiming that the minister who succeeded beyond all expectations would not take such a step.

This evening Minister Kahlon put an end to speculation and announced with his own voice: he does not intend to compete for a place on the Likud list for the next Knesset.

"I decided to take some time off and not to compete for the Knesset list. I support the Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu, I have concluded with the Prime Minister that I will be part of the team of the Hundred Days regarding social and economic issues and the promotion of future reforms in the next Knesset led by the Likud and Netanyahu," he said.

We shall recall that since March 2009 Kahlon has been serving as Minister of Communications. During his tenure he managed to promote changes in the cellular market and even won praise for it. In the former Likud primaries he came first place. "Be Kahlonim" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once said to other ministers, meaning that they must learn from Kahlon.

What can bring to this announcement?

Some say that what had caused it was tension between him and Netanyahu, who refused to guarantee him a senior position albeit he did so for other ministers. Others explain that the slight decrease in his internal power in the party led to his decision, and others assert that this is purely a maneuver designed for political purposes, and in order to improve the status and power.

Time will tell, right now there is no doubt that this is a blow to the Likud party.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!