Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday afternoon met with MK Benny Gantz, head of the Blue & White party, a first meeting to discuss a possible coalition government. Shas party chairman, Minister Aryeh Deri, a member of PM Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc, believes that the nation is heading to a third round of elections.

Speaking with senior party members, Deri stated he believes that coalition talks will not be successful, and the nation will be heading for a third round of elections within a 12-month period.

During a Monday afternoon meeting of Shas MKs, Deri welcomed the party’s newest MK, former Beit Shemesh mayor, MK Moshe Abutbul, and then commented on the ongoing efforts headed by Blue & White to form a coalition government. He added that he remains confident that in the next round of elections, the right-wing bloc, which includes Likud, Shas, Yahadut Hatorah and the Yemina list will grow. Deri added the chances of coalition talks being successful “are slim”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)