Olmert with President Katsav
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Peretz. 'A suicidal Shiite'
Photo: AFP
Kadima: Peretz committed harakiri
Olmert convenes party senior members for meeting to discuss political developments. Kadima official says Labor chairman's attempt to form coalition with right-wing parties Sunday was 'live-broadcast suicide'
Senior Kadima officials held a meeting at Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office on Monday evening to discuss the political developments expected in the near future.
Olmert preferred to keep his opinion to himself, allowing senior officials to express their positions.
Peretz's Initiative
Attila Somfalvi
Following attacks on Labor chairman for his attempt to set up right-wing government, party officials also remember to criticize him; senior party member: Peretz should meet with Olmert as soon as possible
Officials who were present at the meeting said the atmosphere was positive.
A consensus that Kadima could not ignore Labor demands that it be handed a key ministerial portfolio pervaded the meeting.
Officials stressed the need for putting together a governing coalition as soon as possible, especially after Labor leader Amir Peretz’ failed to form a ‘social front’ coalition.
No operational decisions were taken during the meeting but the consensus was around Amir Peretz, who became the target of assaults by senior Kadima officials. “Amir committed a harakiri,” a senior Kadima official told Ynet.
“He who thought he can go Amir Peretz’s way, is a suicidal Shiite. In the meeting everyone said that Peretz is doing his silliness by himself. What he did yesterday was live-broadcast suicide, with Eitan Cabel’s courteous assistance, and then at the president’s residence. Now he has to go to negotiations bent over,” the official said.
It seems Kadima officials are split over the formation of a government. Some members called for inviting right-wing parties to join a Kadima-Labor coalition.
Others said Kadima should opt for a coalition that will allow it to carry out its political plans, without right-wing parties.
Labor: No intention to form right-wing coalition
Senior Kadima officials did not discuss which key ministerial portfolio the party will be willing to concede to Labor. “We didn’t discuss portfolios,” senior officials said, “but they all understand they will need to deal with the issue. We didn’t discuss specific portfolios, but it is clear that will as for this and we need to compromise.”
Meanwhile, aides to Amir Peretz gave up attempts to form a coalition with right-wing parties. Labor members told Ynet Monday morning that Peretz deceived them. “There is no intention to form a government with right-wing elements,” Peretz aids said. “This story has ended. The Labor party carried two flags in the election battle and it won’t give them up.”
Peretz aides also lashed out at senior Labor officials who a criticized Peretz: “The story surfaced on the wave that erupted at the President’s and because of many officials who said what they said, including people within our ranks. Now the story has ended anyway.”
