No "Social Front" with the Right-Wing Parties

It looks like Peretz has suddenly disavowed trying to form a coalition government with the right-wing and ultra-orthodox parties. Shas and Meretz have recommended that Olmert form the next government. Both are being realistic. It is interesting (though hardly a surprise) that Ovadia Yosef gave his approval to this decision on Shas's part - after all, he has been railing against the disengagement plan and Kadima since the campaign began. Anyway, hopefully everyone will come to their senses soon. I think the NRP-NU will stay in the opposition. The big question is what will happen with Yisrael Beitenu. I don't know if Kadima or Israeli society can afford to alienate the Russian electorate even further. Liberman certainly wants to be in the government. But given the latter's opposition to further withdrawals, I am not sure how he can join Kadima in a coaltion. Maybe Yisrael Beitenu will be happy to form the official opposition, where the party can continue to feed the resentment of its marginalized voters and abstain from taking responsibility for the security situation as well as the economy.