Bibi does not want more than this. He needs the Likud to be weak on the outside. He will do all he can to push votes on the right to Liberman and Bayit Yehudi/Mafadl and Shas. This will guarantee that he will get the first chance to put together a coalition - just like last time when Kadima had more seats. Then Bibi will use the weakness to draw in Lapid and may Labor. Why would he do this? So that the pressure from the world, that all hate Israel, and all hate the Likud, will be less. The people of Israel have seen enough of the political left kissing the behinds of american and european leaders. We are sick of our PM not doing what is good for the country. The political left in Israel is slowly becoming a dinosaur. It is only a matter of time before there is no left - just the arab parties. The Likud will then become the center for everyone.

Excellent analysis, but I think it is worse that you say. In the previous elections, Likud could have had 35 but Netanyahu did his best to lose. He did not care how much money and jobs this lost the Likud and how many useless Leftist ministers he had, because he wanted a Leftist coalition with the failure Barak as DM. I think he will do the same again, not to reduce pressure on Israel, but because he wants to be forced to implement the Leftist platform. For Israel's sake, let's hope that Netanyahu fails and the Likud gets 35 or more seats.

Take my word for it Israeli, Bibi does it because of the world pressure against him. Unfortunately, Bibi is the best this country has to offer as far as leadership goes, which is why he will be re-elected (this has not happened in 30 years!). I would love to see the Likud with 61, not 35. And with no coalition. But until they raise the bar for which parties can get elected (start off with a minimum of 10 seats or nothing) we are stuck with a lousy system.