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| By: Attila Somfalvi |
| Published: October 23, 2006 |
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After the government passed his bill and his way to the coalition was paved, Israel Our Home chairman Avigdor Lieberman made his way on Monday afternoon to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office to discuss the final details of adding his party to the coalition. Lieberman's associates estimated that the party would join the government within a week.
Lieberman is expected to become a 'super minister', coordinating strategic affairs and dealing with the Iranian threat. To his associates Lieberman has said that he is most troubled by Israel's difficult security situation. During a Kadima party meeting Olmert confirmed that Lieberman would deal with "strategic issues" on his behalf, this "without compromising the authority of other ministers."
Olmert expressed his contentment with Lieberman's intentions of joining the government, adding that the move would be brought to the Knesset for approval soon. The basics, he clarified, wouldn't change, nor does he support a presidential regime or raising the vote threshold to 10 percent, as Lieberman proposes. Olmert added that establishing a constitution for Israel would be among the government's chief objectives.
Lieberman's party may also head one of the Knesset's central committees - quite possibly Finance. A senior Kadima official told Ynetnews that this was Lieberman's demand, and that Kadima party officials were "considering it in a positive light" -- perhaps in a move to dismiss Finance Committee chairman Yakov Litzman of United Torah Judaism. Lieberman denies demanding the post.
If Israel Our Home does indeed enter the government, the coalition, which currently stands at 67 MK's, will expand to 78. Olmert is trying to bring in United Torah Judaism, working his way to one of the broadest, most stable, coalitions seen in Israel in recent years.
Lieberman's move into the coalition put the ball in Labor's court, who will need to make a crucial decision -- stay in or get out. Labor's central committee will be asked to vote on the matter. MK's have spoken out against staying, stating that sitting in the same coalition with Lieberman would be a "complete surrender" to right wing extremists.
Labor's not the only party criticizing Lieberman. Senior Likud officials also spoke out against the man and his party, estimating that in the long run he will appear to have saved Olmert's government -- and by doing so perhaps enabled the realignment.
The Knesset has already been asked to schedule the appointment of two ministers this week: Lieberman and, finally, a welfare minister -- apparently Jacob Edery of Kadima. Parliament is still deliberating over bringing the appointments to a vote this week, as Arab MK's are on holiday leave.
Ilan Marciano contributed to the report
This article first appeared on Ynet. |
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