Vote on disbanding Knesset postponed
MKs Yitzhak Levi (National Union), Zvulun Orlev (National Religious Party) agree to postpone vote on proposal to disband Knesset until Monday; decision comes following meeting with Labor Chairman Amir Peretz, who pushed for delaying vote until after his scheduled meeting with Sharon
Knesset Members Yitzhak Levi (National Union) and Zvulun Orlev (National Religious Party) have agreed to postpone the vote on the proposal to disband the Knesset until Monday.
The discussion on the proposed bill will be held in parliament on Wednesday.
The MK’s decision to postpone the vote came following a meeting with Labor Chairman Amir Peretz, who pushed for delaying the vote until after his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Tuesday’s Labor faction meeting.
Without Labor’s support, the proposal to disband the Knesset has no chance of passing; in case the proposal is rejected, it may be submitted for another vote only after 45 days have passed.
'I am exerting all my efforts to prevent uncertainty'
Earlier Peretz met with opposition Chairman Yosef Lapid (Shinui), at Lapid's house. The two discussed the current political situation in a bid to set an agreed date for early elections.
"We agreed that we will go to elections," Lapid said at the end of the meeting.
"I told Peretz that I do not intend to join Sharon's government if Labor leaves it. Shinui will vote Wednesday in favor of dissolving the Knesset. We think that the three parties (Likud, Labor and Shinui) should coordinate the date for elections," Lapid, who may soon have to relinquish his seat to Peretz, added.
Peretz said that "The overall direction which we agreed upon is that we will do everything in order for the elections to be held in agreement, also with Ariel Sharon."
"I am exerting all my efforts to prevent uncertainty and I hope that we will reach an agreement on a date," Peretz said.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report
