Livni. 'Israel my top priority'
Photo: AFP
Foreign Minister and newly elected Kadima
Chairwoman Tzipi Livni
said Sunday morning that there was need to form a stable government as soon as possible, preferably a national unity government.
"If other parties are waiting to see whether Kadima has become stronger or has failed, our answer is that Kadima today will continue to lead the country together.
"If we discover in a short time that a government cannot be established, we'll call elections and win," she added during a Kadima ministers' meeting.
Cabinet Meeting
Roni Sofer
Prime minister informs cabinet ministers he will be stepping down; congratulates newly elected Kadima Chairwoman Livni on primaries' victory, says willing to help her form new coalition
"At the top of my list of priorities is first and foremost the State of Israel, followed by political issues. Therefore, in light of all the difficult economic, diplomatic and security-related issues we are facing, we must work quickly to form a stable government in Israel, and preferably a unity government."
Hinting to the difficulties imposed by Labor Chairman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Livni said, "I expect our partners to the coalition to act accordingly.
"I plan to make a swift decision, even if time allegedly allows us to hold coalition discussions. We must decide and remove the State from a situation of uncertainty."
She reiterated the need to unite Kadima, several days after her main rival in the primary elections, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, declared that he would be taking a break from politics.
"I thanked the prime minister for his good wishes and the help he offered me," the new Kadima chairwoman said. "I made it clear to him that as far as I am concerned, there are no camps in Kadima and the question of who voted for whom is irrelevant.
"Kadima is one united camp and will continue to lead the country," she concluded.