 |
 |
 |
|
|
Industry and Trade Minister Edud Olmert, former Mayor of Jerusalem has been temporarily appointed to the position of Finance Minister in the wake of MK Binyamin "Bibi" Netanyahu's resignation. (AP/File)
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
08/08
Ynetnews |
|
08/08
Haaretz |
|
|
| By Israel Insider staff and partners August 8, 2005 |
|
| |
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has appointed Industry and Trade Minister Ehud Olmert as temporary Finance Minister, to replace Binyamin Netanyahu. Despite the quick reshuffluing, Olmert is expected to present the full 2006 State Budget to the cabinet for approval on Tuesday, as originally planned. In the wake of the resignation, however, Sharon may lack a majority to ratify the budget and its failure could result in early elections.
Following Netanyahu's dramatic announcement of his resignation yesterday, the government approved the first phase of the Gaza evacuation by a 17-5 margin.
Afterwards, Sharon appointed Olmert and informed him of his intention to press on and to present the 2006 state budget for approval before the government, as scheduled on Tuesday.
However, in the wake of the resignation, Sharon may lack a majority to ratify the budget. And failure of the budget could result in early elections in late 2005 or early 2006, Knesset sources said that new elections could be no more than six to eight months away.
The decision to appoint Olmert was made despite Labor Party ministers' hope that Sharon would nominate party leader and Vice Premier Shimon Peres to fill the spot.
Knesset approval is still needed for the appointment, which according to government Secretary Yisrael Maimon, lasts for a temporary period of three months. It is expected that the government will approve the appointment on on Tuesday, when Netanyahu's resignation officially takes effect.
Sharon has yet to name a permanent replacement for Netanyahu. For now, Olmert will keep his current post while also looking after economic affairs. It is expected that Sharon will nominate someone from amongst the currently serving Knesset members, rather than opt for someone from outside.
Until then, Likud sources have said that they are pleased with Olmert's appointment. "The business community is surely happy that it's Olmert," Likud sources said earlier. "He is the Industry and Trade Minister and the business community is quite satisfied with his actions."
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
