'No significant opposition. Steinitz
Photo: Pierre Turgeman
Likud presents reform plans to Peres
Reforms include job protection in periphery, creating new channel of communication with Obama Administration, improving lives of West Bank Palestinians. MK Steinitz: President was impressed with plans
Likud Knesset Member Yuval Steinitz presented President Shimon Peres on Sunday with the reforms intended to be carried out by Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's bourgeoning government in the fields of education, personal security, war, and crime.
Steinitz chairs a committee tasked with preparing a plan of action for the next government's first 100 days.
The "First 100 Days Committee" also consists of MK Gilad Erdan, Professor Uzi Arad, businessman Izzy Tapuchi, who has been mentioned as a candidate to head the PM's Office, and Ron Dermer, Netanyahu's strategic advisor.
"The team focused on a number of key issues: Passing the State Budget within 45 days, as required by law, protecting jobs, particularly in the periphery and creating a new channel of communication with the Obama Administration and Congress," Steinitz told Ynet.
"In addition, we discussed the reforms Netanyahu committed to a year ago in the fields of education and personal security, as well as proposals to change the system of government and advance an 'economic peace plan' aimed at improving the lives of the Palestinians in the West Bank."
According to the Likud MK, the next government must react to the financial crisis "before an extensive economic plan is drafted."
"The educational and security-related reforms will be high on the next government's list of priorities," he said. "Our goal is to push for a Knesset session on these reforms as soon as possible."
Steinitz said Peres was impressed with the suggested reforms, and said he had drafted a similar plan in 1984.
"I don’t believe these reforms will face significant opposition from the coalition members," the MK said. "Netanyahu has been committed to most of them for some time, and our potential partners are aware of his plans."
