Vice Premier Shimon Peres
Photo: AP
Peres: Presidential system would be mistake
After political storm started by meeting between Olmert and Lieberman, in which changing system of government was discussed, Peres warns that presidential system would be 'error' for Israel. Peres on Lieberman in coalition: Doubtful it will happen
Will there be a presidential system in Israel? Lieberman perhaps supports it, perhaps Olmert too, but at least one of the senior ministers in Kadima is against the initiative. Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Sunday evening that a presidential system in Israel would be an "error."
Peres made these statements following the political storm created over the weekend after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Israel
Our Home Chairman Avigdor Lieberman. The two concluded that starting with the next sitting of the Knesset, their two parties will advance a platform of changing the system of government and
drafting a constitution.
Peres elaborated that he is opposed to this kind of system, and said, "You can only switch to this kind of regime in a country with only two political parties. Otherwise, we will witness unending haggling over the coalition."
Olmert-Lieberman Meeting
Attila Somfalvi
In meeting between PM, Israel Our Home chairman on Friday, leaders agree that from start of upcoming Knesset parliamentary session, two parties will promote legislation aimed at changing form of government in Israel, writing up constitution
The political establishment estimates that the agreement, which was officially published by the Prime Minister's Office, is significant as a step for Israel Our Home toward being in the coalition.
'Doubtful'
Peres claims it is doubtful that Israel Our Home will ultimately be in the cabinet because such a step is likely to result in Labor quitting the coalition and in internal friction within the coalition.
Following the said meeting with Lieberman, Olmert updated Labor chairman, Defense Minister Amir Peretz on its results. Peretz associates responded, "It is Olmert's right to meet with whomever he wants." They also noted that they are not flustered by the meeting.
Sources in the Prime Minister's Office said that Olmert and Lieberman spoke for about two hours and discussed a range of subjects, including coalition matters. However, Olmert associates asserted, "If what was agreed upon had significance for the coalition, we would be happy to report it. As of now, there is no structural change to the coalition. Nothing has yet to be agreed upon between the prime minister and the Israel Our Home chairman."
