Likud officials say PM will create unity government

Likud officials tell the Globes business daily that Netanyahu is leaning toward creating a unity government with the Zionist Union party, rotating the premiership with Herzog, but not with Livni.

The unnamed officials maintain that Netanyahu will likely opt to keep Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid out of the coalition.

They add that if Herzog is at the helm, and Netanyahu is beat out in the election, the Likud party will nonetheless join the coalition.

The Likud officials say that while Netanyahu is considering a national unity government, he is keeping the plan under wraps for fear that a public announcement would cost him votes.