Kadima Expects to Present Gov’t by Early Next Week
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A senior Kadima official said he expects Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to present his new government by early next week.
Kadima had actually hoped to finish coalition negotiations by the middle of this week.
The official said all the coalition agreements would be presented to the Knesset by next Sunday or Monday.
Despite the official’s remarks, Kadima has not announced any coalition agreements with Shas or United Torah Judaism, two religious parties which Olmert plans on including in his government.
Commentary;
Question: Without agreements with Shas, Aguda and Yisrael Beitenu, which are not currently in hand and which may be problematic, where is there a majority of 61 or more?
While it appears that there are agreements with Labor, the Pensioners, Meretz, this author doesn’t count 61. MB
Shas to Demand 4 Ministers in Coalition Talks
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Shas has decided on Sunday that they would demand four portfolios if they are to join a coalition with Kadima.
The decision, reached in a consultation with Shas’ spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, was based on making the government representation proportional to that of Labor, which was promised eight portfolios.
Shas has won 11 mandates in the last elections, compared to Labor’s 19.
Kadima and Labor Close to Signing; Unrest Within the Parties
Gov’t Coalition Builders Face More Problems
‘Divide and Conquer’ in Kadima Negotiations With Shas and UTJ
Mazuz Bars Lieberman From Internal Sec. Ministry
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Attorney General Menahem Mazuz asserted on Sunday that Israel Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman would not be eligible for the post of internal security minister so long as a police investigation against him was in progress.
Lieberman has declared in the past that his party would not join the government if he would not be appointed to the Internal Security Ministry.
A police investigation has been launched to investigate suspicions of illegal funding of Israel Beiteinu’s 1999 election campaign.
Dichter Could be Next Internal Security Minister
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Kadima MK and former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Avi Dichter might be the next internal security minister.
Dichter has attempted to learn more about police activity through different channels, apparently due to the belief that he will receive the Internal Security portfolio, Army Radio reported on Monday.
The attorney general decided Sunday that head of Israel Beiteinu, Avigdor Lieberman, could not fulfill the role of internal security minister as long as he was under criminal investigation.
Commentary;
Having heard and read of Shin Bet’s tactics and it’s “Jewish Desk”, Dichter, with his sold ethics and integrity, as Internal Security Minister may make Gideon Ezra seem like a boy scout. MB
Lieberman to Olmert: Ignore Mazuz
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Yisrael Beitenu party Chairman Avigdor Lieberman called on Prime Minister-designate Ehud Olmert Sunday night to ignore a ruling by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz that he could not serve as Internal Security Minister while he is under investigation.
Lieberman is alleged to have broken party funding laws and carrying out illegal business activities in Russia, and is the subject of an ongoing police probe.
“Olmert must prove his leadership and give me the portfolio,” said Lieberman. “The decision to bar me from becoming Internal Security Minister is political,” he added. It was not clear what will Lieberman will do if he is not given the portfolio.