Israeli parliament member Binyamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he believes his party, the Likud, will win more seats in the next election, Israel Radio reported.

"All polls indicate Likud will win 10 seats in the next election, but it is clear to everyone that Likud will win many more seats than that. Polls do not reflect the actual state of things," Netanyahu was quoted as saying.

Netanyahu's prediction was a lot more generous than the current forecasts, "Not only will Likud win more than 10 seats, but also it will double this figure and win 24 or 25 seats."

"I believe the message and political way of Likud are the only things that will bring back a massive electorate for the party because it offers an alternative," Netanyahu said.

Some 30 percent of Israelis said that the departure of former Labor Chairman Shimon Peres from the party and his announcement that he was supporting Kadima (Forward) will increase chances of voting for a newly formed party headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

In contrast, only 15 percent said the addition of Peres to Kadima will decrease chances for supporting the party.

A massive 47 percent of those asked said Sharon was their favorite candidate in the prime ministerial race. Newly elected Labor Chairman Amir Peretz came in a distant second with some 18 percent.

According to the poll, only 10 percent of respondents named Netanyahu as the most suitable.

Source: Xinhua