Tel Aviv Mayor Huldai, 77, to run for sixth term after 25 years in office

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced on Wednesday that he will be running for his sixth consecutive term as mayor of Tel Aviv in the municipal elections scheduled for next year.

Huldai, 77, has served as Tel Aviv mayor for five consecutive terms, spanning over 25 years since 1998, but doesn’t seem to be ready for retirement just yet.

With over a year and a half left before Israeli voters get to cast their ballots in the next round of municipal elections, the seasoned mayor has said he intends to run for a sixth term, but noted that the final decision will probably be made next year.

“I’m still strong,” he told Army Radio, noting burning issues on the Israeli agenda that he would still like to address.

“In the reality of a high cost of living and terrible traffic jams — I think I have something to contribute,” he said.

Unnamed sources at the Tel Aviv Municipality told the Walla news site that Huldai’s announcement was predictable, noting recent initiatives spearheaded by the mayor, which they said indicated a “change in tone” meant to prepare the ground for the next round of elections.

On Tuesday, Huldai announced a plan aimed at reducing the cost of living in Tel Aviv by thousands of shekels every month.

“It’s crucial for different communities to be able to live in our city. We can’t stand by as the cost of living continues to rise,” he wrote on Twitter.

“That is why we will be presenting a plan that will help families and residents of the city by significantly reducing the cost of municipal services, education and welfare — a reduction that may add up to thousands of shekels per family,” he added.

In December 2021, Tel Aviv was ranked the most expensive city in the world in a survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that examined 173 cities worldwide.

Huldai’s failed attempt to enter Israeli national politics in 2020 was seen by many as a sign that his days in politics were numbered. But over the years, Huldai has managed to surprise his critics and stay in power even when it seemed like things were not going his way.

In 2018, Huldai, who had enjoyed two decades of near to none political opposition, faced his closest battle yet when challenged by his deputy-turned-rival, Asaf Zamir, who ran against him in a race that unexpectedly tightened towards the end.

Despite Zamir’s strong poll numbers throughout the race, Huldai eventually received more than 40% of the votes, averting a runoff election and maintaining support among the city’s younger and older residents.

Deputy Tel Aviv Mayor Reuven Ladianski has already said that he will be running for the position of mayor in 2023. Deputy mayors Meital Lahavi and Tzipi Bernard are expected to announce their candidacy as well.

There are not currently any term limits on mayors, although there are currently legislative efforts to impose them.