Meretz recommends Olmert

(VIDEO) Meretz has recommended Ehud Olmert as candidate for prime minister in a meeting with President Moshe Katsav Monday.

"He's the only one who doesn't need right-wing parties for a coalition," party representatives said before entering the consultation meeting. Furthermore, they added, although they identify ideologically with Peretz – they will nonetheless nominate Olmert.

Pensioners representatives at president's residence (Video: Studio Edi-Boy)

Meretz faction Chairman Yossi Beilin said following his meeting with Katsav: "We certainly want to see the Labor leader as the prime minister. However, Amir Peretz can only assemble a government with a right-wing component, and we won't be in such a government."

"A paradox has been created here," Beilin added, noting that "we see a government formed by Ehud Olmert as the only option, because he can assemble a government with both the Right and the Left, and we'll recommend to him that the government be without the Right."

Earlier, the National Union-NRP party did not make a recommendation to President Katsav on who should assemble the government, because it claimed that it was still unclear "whether (Labor Chairman) Amir Peretz was willing to stand up to the challenge of setting up an emergency social government."

Representatives of the party decided to hold more consultations with the president in two days.

Meanwhile, the Pensioner's party has recommended Ehud Olmert as the candidate for prime minister.

‘Olmert most realistic option.” Pensioners party members (Photo: Gil Yochanan)

At a press conference held at the president's official Jerusalem residence, party leaders said they recommended the acting prime minister for the job as the most realistic option. When asked about the possibility of holding an emergency social government, one member said: 'This sounds interesting to us, but we must be realistic with our feet on the ground; enough with the slogans and spins. There is a party that won a majority of votes by the people. Everyone is now riding on the socio-economic momentum. We'll be glad to cooperate with every party that deals with these issues."

'We prefer to arrive at an honorable dialogue'

Party leader Raffie Eitan said that "we believe that Olmert can assemble the next government and march forward. We want to be part of the coalition." Asked which roles the party was hoping to receive, one member said: "We don't want to put the cart in front of the horses. We'll try to find the most suitable roles to help the pensioners."

Eitan addressed Olmert and Peretz, saying: "There are two big parties who are similar in their platforms. I suggest the two leaders sit and discuss setting up the next government."

The number two in the party, Yaakov Ben-Yizri, was unwilling to expand on the party's view of the diplomatic front, saying: "We prefer to arrive at an honorable dialogue and agreements with the Palestinians."

National Religious Party Chairman Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev said upon leaving the president's residence: "Peretz must prove his social credentials with sincere decisions."

Party representatives asked the president for a two day extension before deciding on whom to nominate.

Meanwhile, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Israel Our Home Chairman Avigdor Lieberman on Monday to discuss the establishment of a government. Olmert is scheduled to meet with Meretz-Yahad Chairman Yossi Beilin later in the day.

Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report