Shas to recommend Olmert for PM
After Pensioners party, Meretz recommend Olmert, religious party also set to designate Kadima leader as its favored candidate to lead country
The Shas committee of Torah sages led by the party’s spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on Monday ruled that the religious faction will recommend Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for the premiership.
Faction members on Wednesday will relate their party’s position to President Moshe Katsav who is expected to entrust Olmert with the task of forming a governing coalition.
Last Thursday, Shas leader Eli Yishai met with Labor leader Amir Peretz to discuss the possibility of forming a "social front."
But Labor decided to pursue the possibility of an alternative governing coalition with right-wing parties, in a bid to circumvent Kadima and see Peretz appointed as prime minister.
However, Labor planned failed and the plan has been abandoned. Shas apparently understood this and decided to recommend Olmert.
Meanwhile, following consultations by phone, the Likud party decided not to recommend anyone for the post of prime minister during the faction's meeting with President Katsav Tuesday. Likud representatives are expected to tell the president they view Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu as the best candidate to form a government, but in light of the political reality that has been created they will not be recommending anyone.
Earlier Monday, both the Pensioners Party and Meretz recommended Olmert for the post of prime minister.
National Union-National Religious Party representatives also met with the president Sunday. NRP 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.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report
