Ma'ariv poll: The union is worthwhile for Netanyahu • A right wing mass of 67 mandates

After internal opposition within the Likud to the union with Yisrael Beiteinu and criticism towards Netanyahu, a Ma'ariv and TNS Teleseker poll, held yesterday, Sunday, results in a representative nationwide sample of 500 respondents aged eight, the total population of Israel and with the maximum sampling error for two mandates - shows Netanyahu is walking meanwhile on safe ground, with 43 mandates for the Likud - Yisrael Beiteinu Party.

According to the survey held by Ma'ariv, if the election were held today, Netanyahu would continue to a third coronation and combine the next government easily, leaning against the right-wing mass which totals 67 mandates - one that produces a classic right-wing-religious government, with an option for expansion with the mandates of Lapid's Yesh Atid party.

Shas, led by Eli Yishai, Deri and Ariel Atias, according to Ma'ariv survey and TNS Teleseker have 10 mandates, one mandate less than the party received in the previous election.

The crushing in the right-wing caused internal unrest within the Likud. Many fear a union with Yisrael Beiteinu would hurt the party's traditional electorate. Netanyahu was surprised by the intensity of resistance and works all the time, with the assistance of Avigdor Lieberman, to soften the party atmosphere. Ma'ariv- Teleseker poll result -, which corresponds to a survey published yesterday on channel 2, is a sedative for the prime minister and Likud ministers.

Ma'ariv poll result proves the consultant Arthur Finkelstein correctly predicted the effect of consolidation on the right, and the power of the slogan 'Power to lead', leading the election campaign of Netanyahu - Lieberman. However, according to a survey by Channel 10 reported yesterday, the Likud - Yisrael Beiteinu union receive only 35 mandates.

It should be noted that although the survey results of Ma'ariv, like that of Channel 2, are good for him, they are still lower than the predictions of Finkelstein, who estimated that the Likud - Beitenu could get 50 mandates.

However, Ma'ariv's survey shows disturbing dissatisfaction from Likud voters from the union between the parties. While 73 percent supports, about 20 percent are opposed to the union. This is not a survey; it is possible that it results from the difficulty to internalize the process and then may be expressed and chewed from the Likud electorate.

What happens in the center – left-wing? According to the survey, Haavodah led by Yachimovich is reinforced with 20 mandates, Kadima continues to crash with four mandates, and Lapid keeps the power with 15 mandates.

Together with Meretz, this mass appoints 42 mandates only. This is not good news for the already conflicted and divided mass that cannot unite around one candidate.
The option which is still on the shelf is a new party led by Olmert and Tzipi Livni and Mofaz - probability of being carried out has increased in recent days following the explosion in the right.

But a Ma'ariv poll examined the prospects of such party contract only ten mandates. For Olmert, this is not the result he can start an election campaign with.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!