TEL AVIV - The Yahad Party Central Committee voted Sunday to change its name once again, choosing to re-adopt the Meretz name it abandoned less than a year ago. From now on, the leftist party will be known as Meretz-Yahad
The original change of name, from Meretz to Yahad, was initiated by party chairman Yossi Beilin. But the change never really caught on, and in a recent survey, very few voters recognized the term Yahad. Following the survey’s results, the party decided to restore its original name.
Beilin said during the debate he would honor any decision the committee made, and that he would take responsibility for the party’s electoral fortunes.
“It is my job as party chairman to greatly increase our power in the next elections,” he said.
Beilin for prime minister
The Meretz-Yahad Committee also completed the party’s constitution, and became the first party to appoint a prime ministerial candidate for next year’s general election.
According to the party constitution approved by the central committee, the party chairman will also be the party’s lead candidate in the elections.
