BICOM

The leaders of Israel’s opposition parties gave an upbeat response to the announcement of an election as early as January 2013.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party appears the clear favourite to be elected as the largest party in Israel’s parliament, enabling them to try to form a coalition. According to an opinion poll published last week in Haaretz, Likud would win 28 seats, with a resurgent Labour Party in second place on 20 seats, having secured just 13 seats in the 2009 election. Meanwhile, the Kadima Party, which won 28 seats in 2009, in the Haaretz poll was predicted to win a disappointing 8 seats.

Nonetheless, the leader of the opposition and chairman of the Kadima Party Shaul Mofaz told Israel’s Channel 2 that it is expected of his party to replace Netanyahu and that he is the “candidate with the biggest experience.”

Meanwhile, Shelly Yacimovich, the leader of the Labour Party, said that there is a “reasonable probability” of winning. Yacimovich is expected to run a campaign based on socioeconomic issues, having seen support for the Labour Party grow after mass protests over the cost of living a year ago.

In addition to Kadima and Labour, Ehud Barak’s Independence Party and former journalist Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid Party are also expected to compete for the centre-left vote.

Complicating matters further, speculation is rife in the Israeli media that former-foreign minister Tzipi Livni and former-prime minister Ehud Olmert, both previous leaders of the Kadima Party are preparing for a political comeback. Livni yesterday attacked Netanyahu following his announcement, saying that he “has made Israel isolated and withdrawn.” Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 10 yesterday reported that Olmert is set to announce his return to politics, although it is unclear whether he would make a comeback at the head of a new party or return to Kadima.