A survey commissioned by the Israeli Newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, revealed that if the elections are held now in Israel, Sharon can collect 28 seats at the Knesset if he form the new party.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that according to the poll, should Sharon decide to leave the ruling party, the Likud would collapse and win only 18 Knesset seats, down from its current 40.
ÂÂ
The Labor party would also collect the fruits of this move. The party achieved strong gains in the survey which showed that the Labor party would win 28 Knesset seats, up from its current 21.
ÂÂ
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Sharon held a meeting at his Tel Aviv office, on Thursday, and told his associates that he did not decide yet whether to form a new party or remain with the Likud.
ÂÂ
Sharon is expected to announce his final decision over the weekend, after discussing this issue with forum of his close family, especially with his son Omri Sharon.
ÂÂ
Omri is expected to serve as the deciding factor. Several months ago, Omri was one of the few aides of Sharon who objected leaving the Likud, and in the past few days he has strongly considered what his father should do.
ÂÂ
Sources close to Sharon reported that he fears that if he remains in the Likud party, with its current formula and rebels, he won’t be able to move freely on the political level, while on the other hand, he is afraid to quit the Likud and end up with a small party.
ÂÂ
One of Sharon’s aides said that if he [Sharon] decides to quit the Likud, 10 – 15 Likud members of the Knesset will join his new party. ÂÂ
