Ynet acquires classified internal memorandum that outlines election preparations in the event of failure to approve state budget; Prime Minister Sharon's associates deny connection to document
TEL AVIV - A classified document prepared by Likud Director General Arik Brami outlines plans for elections preparations should the government fail to secure a Knesset majority for the state budget proposal, Ynet has found.
Ariel Sharon's close associates said the memorandum was prepared without the prime minister's knowledge, and expressed their confidence that the budget would be approved after all.
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The document, which was categorized as "Internal-classified," was prepared on official Likud party letterhead and features a timetable for the three months following March 31 - the last date for approving the budget.
'Sharon plans to pass the budget'
According to the document, a quick round of party leadership elections is slated to take place April 14 should the government be toppled in the wake of a possible failure to agree on a budget. A second round would be held on May 3 in the event no candidate secures at least 40 percent of the votes.
On the question of formulating a list of Knesset members, the memorandum offers two possibilities - internal Likud elections on April 21, or alternately, on May 9.
Sharon's close associates told Ynet the document has no connection to the prime minister's intentions.
"The prime minister does not plan to initiate elections now…in any case, Sharon plans to pass the budget," they said.
In a meeting between Sharon and his associates and advisors Sunday, it was decided to continue pressing Likud members who are threatening to vote against the budget in light of their objection to the disengagement plan.
Meanwhile, Likud sources who are not close to Sharon said the document could not have been prepared without the prime minister's knowledge.
Sharon's people are apparently attempting to exert pressure on the so-called Likud "rebels" who said they would vote against the budget, the sources said.
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