Ehud Olmert
Photo: Reuters
Olmert convenes coalition ahead of budget vote
Prime minister meets with leaders of coalition parties amid fear that 'rebel' MKs may vote against 2006 State Budget in first Knesset reading; ‘cooperation between the parties is vital for coalition’s stability,’ he says
Prime Minster Ehud Olmert convened Wednesday the leaders of the coalition parties amid the fear that “rebels” may vote against the 2006 State Budget later in the day.
During the meeting it was agreed that each party chairman will be responsible for the votes in his own faction members.
“Cooperation between the parties is vital for the coalition’s stability,” Olmert said.
Labor Chairman Amir Peretz, Shas head Eli Yishai and Pensioners Chairman Rafi Eitan were all summoned to Olmert’s office ahead of the Knesset’s first reading on the State Budget, this after a number of Labor and Pensioners MKs said they would not vote in favor of the budget unless socioeconomic-related changes are made in it. Due to this the first reading was delayed from the beginning of the week to Wednesday.
'Weaker segments of society will be compensated'
Olmert made it clear to his coalition partners that the approval of the budget was imperative to the government’s functioning.
It is also clear that a budget dispute during the government’s first days may lead to parties leaving the coalition, a scenario that would threaten the government’s existence and foster early elections.
Meanwhile Yishai, the Industry and Trade minister, met with Olmert to discuss the recent increase in the price of bread. The two agreed that the weaker segments of society would be compensated in some manner. It was also decided that an additional increase in the price of bread, which was scheduled to go into effect in three month’s time, will be canceled.
Labor MK Yoram Marciano said he does not plan on supporting the budget unless the increase in the price of bread is annulled.
Ilan Marciano, Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report
