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Under the party’s new campaign slogan, “Fighting for the country,” Yesh Atid last night presented its list of Knesset candidates, with the top slots dominated by current MKs.

Yesh Atid was one of the surprise packages of the January 2013 election. Campaigning on socio-economic issues, the party led by Yair Lapid won 19 seats with a list comprised entirely of individuals with no previous Knesset experience. Keeping faith with current MKs, Lapid yesterday announced Yesh Atid’s list of candidates with former ministers Shai Piron, Yael German, Meir Cohen and Ya’akov Peri filling slots two to five. The only newcomers within the top 18 places are Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yeilin in seventh and former Hatnuah MK Elazar Stern in 12th place. Lapid said “We present a list of the real Centre. Not Left anarchists, not fringe Right, but Centre.”

However, the latest poll published last night by Channel Two indicated that Yesh Atid would secure just nine Knesset seats. The poll also indicated a slight growth in support for the Zionist Camp led by Labour’s Isaac Herzog and Hatnuah’s Tzipi Livni, with their joint ticket predicted to win 26 seats, ahead of second-placed Likud on 23 seats.

Parties have until Thursday to finalize their list of candidates. The coveted 20th slot on Likud’s list remains undecided after a District Court ruled yesterday that an internal Likud body was not authorised to conduct a recount between Tzipi Hotovely and Avi Dichter. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must also announce who will fill two slots reserved for his personal selection.

It was also widely reported yesterday that football legend Eli Ohana will join Jewish Home and will be handed a realistically electable slot on the party list. Ohana has no prior political experience and previously expressed support for Israel’s disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005. However, he is a football icon and his candidacy may be perceived as helping Jewish Home widen its appeal beyond the party’s traditional religious, right-wing support.