Former Economy Minister MK Orna Barbivai (Yesh Atid) announced on Wednesday evening that she will be running for mayor of Tel Aviv in the municipal election scheduled for October 31, 2023.
"The time has come to return Tel Aviv-Jaffa to its residents. To maintain it as a free and diverse city, to develop it as an economic and cultural center and to return the fruits of the investment to the residents," she said.
"The city should be happier, organized and open to its residents. In recent years we have witnessed a loss of control in the management of many projects and the residents are exhausted from trying to maintain a safe and comfortable lifestyle. For this purpose, leadership and experience in managing large systems is required, and that is what I bring."
Of the current mayor of Tel Aviv, Barbivai said, "Ron Huldai is a good mayor who has contributed a lot. I believe that after 25 years in office, Ron, who loves the city, will show responsibility and not run again. Precisely at this important time, his job is to make sure that Tel Aviv-Jaffa is transferred into the right hands."
Yesh Atid chairman MK Yair Lapid said, "I want to say a word about the elephant in the room - about my friend Ron Huldai. I appreciate and even like Ron, but the time has come for a change. There is no person, no matter how talented he is, who can do the same job for more than 25 years at the same level and quality. It's time to pass the baton to the right replacement."
"Under the leadership of Orna, Tel Aviv will be strengthened as the capital of Israeli liberalism, a city of pride, and culture, and night life. A city that is both the economic center of the country, the center of protest, and the center of music and theater and museums," continued Lapid.
"Today this city needs vigorous management, a new momentum, capabilities that only Orna can bring to the table. In recent years I have worked closely with Orna in the Knesset and the government. She is one of the best managers I have ever met in my life, and she is a leader who knows how to lead people."