Last update - 00:00 01/02/2007
PM likely to appoint Bar-On as new justice minister following Ramon conviction
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to appoint a new justice minister, following Wednesday's conviction of former justice minister Haim Ramon. Interior Minister Roni Bar-On, an Olmert associate, is believed to be a leading candidate for the position.
However Olmert may also choose to appoint a figure from outside politics. The short list is believed to include former minister Dan Meridor and Professor Uriel Reichman.
Olmert was busy Wednesday preparing for his appearance before the Winograd Committee, after which his associates said he would begin consultations.
Nevertheless, ministers interested in upgrading their portfolios have already begun exploring their options.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni held the justice portfolio during Ramon's trial.
The Labor Party has announced it will demand the Welfare Ministry, although Olmert has been waiting for a deal with United Torah Judaism to hand it that portfolio.
Ramon's conviction catalyzed a much smaller-scale series of political changes than Olmert had originally planned.
Peretz will probably not leave the Defense Ministry; efforts in recent weeks to tempt Peretz with a high-level social-economic portfolio have been shelved.
"Amir will not leave the Defense Ministry, and Olmert better deal with a Kadima that is collapsing, rather than with Amir," Peretz's associates said Wednesday. Olmert is said to be hoping that the interim Winograd Committee report will force Peretz out of office.
If Bar-On moves to the Justice Ministry, Absorption Minister Zeev Boim, one of Olmert's last loyalists in Kadima, may move to the Interior Ministry. Olmert can then appoint MK Marina Solodkin to the Absorption Ministry and shore up his image among new immigrants.
Yisrael Beiteinu is also expecting an additional promised portfolio, which may be either Interior or Absorption ministries.