Olmert aides: We'll win war on budget
Source close to PM says debate over 2009 budget 'matter of principle, not power struggle between Barak and Olmert', adds Olmert 'determined to prevent campaign economics'
"There are a number of political elements, such as Labor and Shas, which are looking to score sectorial achievements at the expense of the general public," an aide to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday in light of Labor's decision to vote against the 2009 State Budget, as introduced by Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On.
Labor adopted the recommendation brought forth by party member Avishay Braverman and will demand that the government expenditures framework will be boosted by 2.5% rather than 1.7%.
Party officials said they will intensify their efforts to reach understandings with Shas and the Pensioners' Party in the coming days so that they too object to the budget, but senior official at the PM's Office said they were unfazed by the threats.
"Every budget is a world war," one official told Ynet, "There will be objections, but the solution will come through negotiations."
"Olmert is demanding that the cabinet ministers vote in accordance with their collective responsibility to the budget in order to preserve Israel's economic achievements of stability and continued growth, despite global indicators of a recession," an aide said, "Olmert is determined to prevent campaign economics."
Some Olmert associates have accused Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a member of Olmert's Kadima party, of cooperating with Labor, Shas and the Pensioners' Party.
"It is in their interest that Mofaz get elected (as Kadima chairman) because (Foreign Minister) Tzipi Livni may opt for early elections - and these parties would rather see an alternate government formed during the current Knesset," said another aide to the prime minister. "The parties are looking to delay the negotiations on the budget until after the Kadima primaries are held."
Despite recent reports, sources in the PM's Office denied Olmert is considering dismissing ministers who will vote against the budget. As opposed to Mofaz, the remaining Kadima chairmanship candidates – Livni, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit - all back Bar-On's budget proposal.
A source close to Barak told Ynet Tuesday that the debate over the budget was "a matter of principle" rather than a power struggle between the Labor chairman and Olmert.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report
