Barak. Not time for decisions
צילום: אפי שריר
Barak not committed to Livni-led government
Labor chairman says party would like to learn more about new Kadima leader's intentions before committing to her plan, adds emergency cabinet should be formed before general elections are declared
Newly elected Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni began the process of assembling a new government on Thursday, however the Labor Party is not rushing to make any decisions regarding her actions yet.
Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak said behind closed doors that he was waiting for Livni to reveal her intentions; until then he is calling for the establishment of an emergency government, "for the good of the State."
Members of the Labor Party fear Livni's new government will not be built to last, requiring general elections just a short while after it is established.
"The ball is in Kadima's court," Barak said in a private conference. "After we have led all of their important moves for them, it's time Kadima announced its intentions. It's time they took the reins."
Barak refused to comment on his party's political future, biding his time until Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation is official, and waiting to see what happens next. Meanwhile Barak has refrained from joining his comrades in calling for an immediate general election, regardless of Livni's victory.
"We shouldn't be making any decisions now. There is time, and we need to let things happen," Barak told his affiliates, though he admitted that if Livni's new government left them no choice, they would have to summon a nationwide election.
"I say we have to establish an emergency government," Barak said. "That's what the country needs right now, and that's what needs to be done. I have to be honest, I can't lie because my political interests may differ."
Barak also announced he would not involve himself in the process of assembling the new government, and that he refused to hold a campaign convincing others to join it. "Kadima should be promoting these moves. People expect me to do these things, but I am not the person for this job."
Contrary to Barak, Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon of the Labor Party believes general elections should be held as soon as possible.
"We have to go to an election and allow the people to elect the next prime minister," he said. "15,000 people cannot be the ones to decide who stands at the head of Israel's government."
