Minister Akonis has been saying for years that he intends to run • Assaf Zamir and Miki Haimovich may move to the local arena • And who is marked as attracting voters?
Eldad Yaniv
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced tonight (Tuesday) his attempt to move into national politics, and the name exchange has already begun regarding his successors in the coveted role of bubbling in an attempt to guess who the candidates will want to see the office on the 12th floor at 69 Ibn Gvirol Street inside.
Huldai announces the establishment of the "Israelis" party: "The left has an alternative to Saar and Elkin" // Photo: Point2point Studios
Although the municipal elections, and certainly the Tel Aviv one, have been devoid of party influence since the late 1990s, it seems that this time the elections will give weight to the national parties as far as possible in the Israeli political chaos.
Two "blue and white" retirees, Assaf Zamir and Miki Haimovich, are mentioned as those who will naturally try their luck in their hometown as well.
Zamir, as I recall, moved to the national system after running a rather expensive election department that did not lead to results in the battle against Huldai, who had served as a deputy in previous years.
In case Zamir gives up another national adventure, he will naturally move to a municipal.
Haimovich has been badly burned by national politics, and despite offers to continue on the national level, she receives a serious encouragement from the public to try her luck on the municipal level as a kind of affirmative experience, and also because her agenda is more suitable for Tel Aviv audiences.
Also in the party sector, one can find Ophir Akunis, who has not hidden for years his intention to run for mayor of his hometown.
However, Akunis also remembers that Tel Aviv does not vote for Likud party representatives when they run for mayor, something that has not happened since 1998. Assaf Harel, who until recently served as Ron Huldai's deputy, will also run for mayor.
On the non-partisan level, Eldad Yaniv can be found.
Yaniv tried his fate on the national level but failed miserably.
Precisely in Tel Aviv itself, the prevailing opinion is that his actions are perceived as being able to attract voters along with his views identified with the left and his involvement in community life in the city.
Huldai's entourage has in recent years talked about Shelly Yachimovich as a worthy candidate to return to politics, but this time to the local one.
Yachimovich did not hide her support for Huldai, but has recently returned to the media.
One thing is for sure, for the first time since 1998, if Huldai does leave his seat, there will be a real election campaign in Tel Aviv where the results, for a change, will not be known in advance.
The full article will be published on Friday in "Israel this week"