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April 01, 2006
Double Strikeout
Unfortunately, the relative weakness of Kadima in the current election showing has forced the following situation.
Which is worse?
For the Israeli Finance or the Defense Portfolio to fall into the hands of Labor?
I think its equal opportunity horribility. As of two days ago, it was widely recognized that the Finance Portfolio however was going to be the most heavily negotiated positon, because Amir Peretz is dead set on getting hold of it, and broadcasting the socialist love - and to hell with the health of the overall economy.
The struggle for the finance portfolio is likely to be at the center of negotiations to build the next coalition. Although finance is considered one of the top three portfolios, it will probably become even more prominent, in view of the priority of social economic issues caused by the composition of the 17th Knesset.
Therefore, opinion is growing in Kadima that it should hold onto the finance portfolio in order to lead social change, rather than handing the portfolio over to its senior coalition partner, presumably Labor, thereby strengthening its political support ahead of the next elections...[Anyone know anything about Ami Ayalon?]Since it won fewer seats than expected and because it prefers the finance portfolio, Kadima will have to concede the defense portfolio to its senior coalition partner, after Olmert promised the foreign affairs portfolio to Tzippi Livni, who is also the leading candidate for the post of acting prime minister.
Labor Party chairman MK Amir Perez's associates are already readying him for the possibility that Labor will not receive the finance portfolio, and they are trying to get him to accept the defense portfolio, which will strengthen his position within the party. Other Labor Party sources are proposing to give the defense portfolio to Ami Ayalon, while Perez will channel his social welfare energy to the labor and social affairs portfolio, after labor is separated from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.
But this of course was only the opening gambit. A tough opening for Olmert's negotiating position.
As of today, the negotiations continue full strength.
So that Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson, who is also the chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee - and a contender for the Finance Portfolio in a Kadima led government - announced publicly two days later that now Olmert is not ruling out giving Peretz - or anyone else - the finance portfolio in a coalition agreement.
Just another negotiation stance until the depressing business is concluded.
Meanwhile, Labor MK Binyamin Ben Eliezer voices the position of Labor with respect to the Finance Portfolio.
Labor MK Binyamin Ben Eliezer said Saturday that the finance portfolio was more important than the defense portfolio. "Security is society," Ben Eliezer told Israel Radio, and therefore, he added, Labor would do everything possible to receive the finance portfolio and fulfill its campaign promises.
Motti Crystal gives some advice about negotiating stances for the various parties.
Alcibiades | 04/01/06 at 08:37 AM | Categories: Eretz Yisrael
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Comments
I agree with Labor MK Binyamin Ben Eliezer. The left can do the most damage in finance.
I hope they don't get it.
Well actually the reason they shouldn't get it is that they don't get it.
I'm wondering why so few Jews have read Milton Friedman.
M. Simon | April 4, 2006 09:34 PM
