Kadima gets 39-41 votes; National Union-NRP merger allows them eight.
By JPOST.COM STAFFolmert knesset 298 88 aj(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
A poll published Thursday morning shows Kadima's popularity rising, with the party receiving 41 mandates - two more mandates than a similar survey showed last week.
The poll, carried out by the Geocartographic Institute under Professor Avi Dagni, noted that support for Kadima rose despite the fact that 46 percent of the population viewed Omri Sharon's nine-month jail sentence for corruption as "appropriate and just."
The Likud, following the conviction of MK Naomi Blumenthal this week, got 18 mandates - two fewer than last week, and Labor remained stable with 17 mandates.
A Yediot Aharonot poll, meanwhile, indicated largely static numbers. Kadima dipped slightly, but retained at least 40 mandates. The Likud and Labor stayed at 15 and 20 mandates, respectively.
The National Union-NRP union appeared to be a wise move, as their joint party was allowed eight mandates.
However, a Ma'ariv poll showed Kadima winning 39 mandates, the first time since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was hospitalized following a massive stroke that the party gained fewer than 40.
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