Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., September 17, 2008 Elul 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:08 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Kadima's new chair will have to decide: Shas or new elections By Shahar Ilan Whoever is elected as Kadima's new leader will have to face two simple questions as he or she tries to form a new government: Is there a price sufficient to woo Shas that the other coalition members can live with? And if not, when should elections be held? The establishment of any government whose composition differs from the present one would be a great surprise. It is no accident that all the candidates for Kadima chair prefer to continue the present government: The two main rightist parties, Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, have ruled out coalition talks. "The prime minister must be chosen by the entire nation and not in a problematic primary," said Likud faction chair MK Gideon Sa'ar. Advertisement Shas, however, is expected to raise two demands that Kadima will have trouble swallowing: drastically increasing child allowances and granting Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) schools the same funding as state schools. Shas Chairman and Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai says that Shas would benefit either way, whether child allowances are raised or elections are called because Kadima refuses. In the past, however, the party's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, has always preferred remaining in the coalition to early elections. MK Otniel Schneller (Kadima), who is backing Shaul Mofaz in the primary, says: "Creative formulas can be found on issues like the child allowances and education funding." The question is whether the solutions can be creative enough for Shas and United Torah Judaism while not being too creative for Labor and Kadima. Both Mofaz and Tzipi Livni would need Shas in the coalition. But Livni's willingness and ability to show creativity vis-a-vis Shas would probably be more limited. "The more time passes, the smaller the chances of forming a government will be," said Labor Secretary General MK Eitan Cabel. "Within a week, we'll know whether there is potential to form a government." Mofaz claims his chances of forming a government are greater, but Knesset sources say that if he is Kadima's new leader, elections will be a more attractive option for Labor, which fares better in the opinion polls when Kadima is led by Mofaz. Mofaz does seem to have more options than Livni: Theoretically, he could form a coalition with Kadima, the right, the Haredim and the Pensioners. But Kadima would probably not allow him to form such a government, which would freeze the diplomatic process. Moreover, Schneller says Mofaz does not want a right-wing government, because its moderate positions "cannot be expressed if we are on the wing of the plane, only if we are in the cockpit." Livni's ability to form a left-wing government is even more limited. Without the right, the ultra-Orthodox and the Arab parties, but with Meretz and the Pensioners, she would have a coalition of 60 MKs. Such a coalition would require support from the Arab parties, and Kadima's right flank would probably balk. Moreover, MK Ahmed Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) says there is "no chance we would support a Livni government," meaning his party would absent itself from the vote. Meretz prefers an alternative government over elections that might put Likud in power. Therefore, faction head MK Zahava Gal-On does not rule out joining the government, with or without Shas. The head of the Pensioners faction, MK Itshac Galantee, rules out joining "any government that MK Moshe Sharoni joins." Sharoni broke away from the Pensioners, taking two other MKs with him. If the new Kadima leader fails to form a government, the factions will begin talks on early elections. These will likely be held between January and March 2009. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Saddam in Tel Aviv Israel's Igal Naor 'never wanted to play Hamlet, only Saddam.' The preacher Archbishop Tutu to UN: Israel may have committed war crime.

Read & React Bradley Burston: What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin Responses: 192 Olmert warns of binational state if no peace deal reached Responses: 224 Kissinger, Albright, Powell back talks with Iran Responses: 63 Settlement rabbi: The state stole Israel from the Jews Responses: 125 11 killed as Hamas forces battle armed clan in Gaza Responses: 47 More Headlines 02:07 Some 40,000 Kadima members expected to vote Wednesday 22:36 IAEA shows photos alleging Iran nuclear missile works 01:09 U.S. Jews outraged over phone campaign alleging 'Obama gave money to PLO' 00:10 CIA chief says strike on Syria was collaboration with 'foreign partner' 01:17 Italy's Berlusconi: Ahmadinejad acting like 'lunatic' on Israel 01:36 Lehman employees in Israel office 'were like princes' 23:40 Olmert, Abbas discuss peace terms at Jerusalem meeting 20:56 Only military action can stop Iran, experts tell European Jews 01:42 Pro-al Qaida gunman among 11 dead in Gaza Strip infighting 21:17 Boy, 15, dies from heart attack while in gym class at school 01:00 TA stocks slip in Wall Street's shadow, Hapoalim plunges 6.8% 22:22 Political turmoil prompts Peres to step in for Olmert in UN assembly 15:01 Official: Hamas held secret leadership election 20:36 Iran puts hardline Revolutionary Guards in charge of defending Gulf 17:53 What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin Previous Editions Select Day 16 sep 15 sep 14 sep 12 sep 11 sep 10 sep 09 sep 08 sep 07 sep 05 sep 04 sep 03 sep

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. USA CITIZEN Change We Need Vote From Israel Elections 2008 Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved