Shinui: agreement possible
Shinui Knesset member says party ready to support budget, but are excluded from government's negotiations
Poraz pointedly declined to outline Shinui’s specific demands, but said that one of the main points was the restoration of student grants.
“We need not be part of the government in order to vote in favor of the budget,” he said.
Two weeks of silence
Poraz complained that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s last contact with Shinui was a private meeting with party chairman Yosef Lapid at his home more than two weeks ago.
“Since then, nothing has happened. No one has even approached us,” he said.
Sharon's spokesman say there have been backroom meetings in recent days with Shinui officials, and said that 400 million shekels are targeted for Shinui-supported programs in the new budget.
“All that is left is to close the deal,” one spokesman said.
Shinui’s Central Committee is set to meet Thursday to discuss preparations for possible early elections.
Sharon aide: Lapid still on 'Popolitika'
Reacting to Poraz’s criticism, Sharon’s advisors pulled no punches in attacking Lapid.
“The only person in Shinui worth speaking to is Poraz,” one advisor said. “Lapid thinks he is still on ‘Popolitika’. He only considers what Tommy (Yosef Lapid) the TV host would say about Tommy the politician.”
Before entering politics, Lapid hosted the popular TV show.
If the budget does not pass by March 30, by law the Knesset must disband and new elections held within 90 days.
