Labor party sources said Wednesday that significant progress is expected regarding the signing of a coalition agreement with ruling Kadima, adding that an announcement on an initial agreement may be made during the evening.
Senior Labor members said Chairman Amir Peretz is working toward convening the Central Committee to obtain its approval of the coalition agreement. Meanwhile, Peretz’s foes within the party are attempting to grant the Central Committee the authority to decide on the party’s candidates for ministerial posts in the next government.
Israel Our Home Head Avigdor Lieberman said
Labor would be an undermining factor should it be included in the next government and called on Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to establish a central-right coalition with Shas, United Torah Judaism and Israel Our Home.
“Such a government will be economical, stable and will deal with the challenges facing the country much better,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday a coalition agreement between Kadima and the Pensioners party was signed at the Kfar Maccabiah Hotel in Ramat Gan.
According to the coalition agreement, the Pensioners will receive two ministers – the health minister and a minister at the Prime Minister's Office. In addition, they will receive the Labor, Social Affairs and Health committee chairmanship. A subcommittee will be established as part of the Economics Committee, which will only deal with the Pensioners matter. In addition, the Pensioners will receive the role of deputy Knesset chairman.
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