Despite all the talk in the media this week on moving up elections, no official decision has been made yet, but in the event that elections are to be held soon, Binyamin Netanyahu would still be the people's choice for Prime Minister. A poll by the Machon Dialog organization, published Thursday in Ha'aretz, shows that out of the leading candidates for Prime Minister, Netanyahu is most fit for the top job.
A full 48% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu should serve as Prime Minister after election to the 19th Knesset are completed. Following Netanyahu, with the support of only 15% of Israelis comes Labor Party head Shelly Yechimovich. Respondents said that while they were impressed with Yechimovich's energy and ideas, she had no ministerial or leadership experience. Before joining the Knesset, Yechimovich was for many years a radio talk show host.
Following Yechimovich in the poll is Avigdor Lieberman, whom 9% of Israelis would like to see as Prime Minister. In last place is Shaul Mofaz, newly installed head of Kadima, whom only 6% of Israelis see as Prime Minister material.
The poll results are in line with other surveys showing the likely composition of the next Knesset. In those polls, the Likud is likely to receive around 30 Knesset seats, followed by Labor as the second largest party with about 17 seats. Lieberman's Yisrael Beteinu is seen getting about 13 seats, while Mofaz's Kadima, which is currently the largest party in the Knesset, drops down to around ten seats.