Politicians prepare for early elections
With newly elected Labor party leader Amir Peretz vowing to quit government, parliamentarians prepare for spring elections. Likud to convene meeting next week
A short while after Amir Peretz’s stunning Labor party primaries win, local politicians are turning their focus to the likely implications of the dramatic win, namely the bringing forward of general elections.
Speculations abound regarding the possible scenarios that may materialize, but Peretz’ pledge to withdraw Labor from the government makes the prospect of early elections almost certain.
Sources close to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Ynet Thursday morning they expect elections to be held as early as March 2006, instead of November 2006. A Likud party source said March elections seem to be the most realistic possibility.
Meanwhile, Likud Secretary-General Yisrael Katz announced he will convene the ruling party’s secretariat next week in order to discuss preparations for early elections. Katz said Labor’s expected resignation from the government would lead to early elections by May or June of 2006 at the latest.
Likud concerned
Amir Peretz's dramatic victory and the subsequent after-shocks have raised fears among some politicians that Labor could return to its historic position on the left end of Israel's political spectrum.
Sources in the Prime Minister's Office, however, are most worried about the consequences that Peretz's win may have on the government, in light of his pledge to quit the coalition should he win the primaries.
"Peretz's win may bring the elections date forward," a source close to the prime minister said.
"There's no doubt that Shimon Peres, as a member of the Israeli government who has gone with us a significant part of the way, would have made our life easier. But that is the democratic choice of the party and we respect that. We will now have to think about what to do and whether we (and Labor) can together go forward until the elections date, planned for November 7 2006, as the prime minister announced."
Sharon telephoned Peretz two hours before the final result was released, congratulated him, and said "the Labor party and Likud now have two chairmen who are neighbors." (referring to the proximity of his Sycamore Ranch to Sderot, Peretz's home town.)
The two agreed to meet this coming Sunday to discuss the possibility of Labor remaining in the government. Later, the prime minister called Shimon Peres and Binyamin Ben Eliezer.
The main concern among the prime minister's aides is that Peretz will shake up the government at an uncomfortable time, ahead of an attempt to pass the State budget.
"With Peres, we had a program for a war on poverty, and misunderstandings could have been smoothed over in negotiations," said a Sharon aide. "With Peretz, the situation could be completely different. His demands are much more uncompromising and this can cause the unity government to crumble."
'Peretz positions Labor at left end of spectrum'
Shinui Party Chairman Yosef (Tommy) Lapid congratulated Peretz for his primaries victory, and said that the development "positioned Labor at the eft end of the political, social, and economic map in Israel."
He added: "Labor and Likud will fight for the same voters and will leave Shinui as the only representative of the middle class."
Knesset member Avraham Poraz (Shinui), reflecting on Peretz's victory, said that Peretz is dangerous to Israel's economy.
"If God forbid he is chosen to head the government, he is likely to lead a rational-socialist economy," he said. "From today, the Histadrut (Labor union federation) is no longer another branch of the Labor party, but the Labor party has become a branch of the Histadrut.
National Religious Party Chairman Effie Eitam called on Peretz to join him and other opposition parties for immediate talks on bringing forward the elections.
"The revolution in Labor and the split in the Likud don't leave any doubt that the current government does not represent its voters and the will of the people," he said. "Therefore, the Right and Left must join to bring the elections forward."
Ilan Marciano and Ronny Sofer contributed to this report
