Channels

Avigdor Lieberman
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky

'Hold elections as soon as possible'

Foreign Minister and Yisrael Beiteinu Chair Lieberman says moving up elections necessary as current political climate paralyzes government; adds: Current coalition is built for compromises not decisions

"If we're going to hold early elections then let's have them sooner rather than later," Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Ynet on Monday.

 

Lieberman seemed unfazed by the growing speculations that the general elections may be moved up, saying that Yisrael Beiteinu was "more than ready."

 

Related stories:

 

"We're heading for an election, that's been made clear. The only question now is when," he said.

 

"If the decision has been made, we should hold the elections as soon as possible. Once the momentum has been built there's no point in holding off. The entire governmental system is paralyzed. It's bad for the economy."

 


ראש הממשלה ושר החוץ בכנסת. "לא מאשים אף אחד" (צילום: רויטרס)

Lieberman and Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters) 

 

Lieberman dismissed reports suggesting he has been pushing for early elections due to his own legal affairs. "It has nothing to do with it… One thing has nothing to do with the other – not directly, not indirectly and not telepathically."

 

The foreign minister, who has pushed for maintaining the Coalition's stability, now believes that the government has no choice but to call for early elections.

 

"It's hard to push for the necessary changes in the budget and on Tal Law like this. It's getting harder to compromise… from the beginning we sought to form the government with the Likud and Kadima, so we can make certain decisions on issues like religion and state, method of government etc., but the current Coalition is built for many compromises and little decision.

 

"We were hoping for compromises but it just didn’t happen. No one is to blame for the situation," Lieberman said.

 

As for why Yisrael Beiteinu failed to resign from the government over various issued Lieberman had previously stated were cardinal, the foreign minister said that "The trick is to find the balance between our obligations to the voters and our obligations to the Coalition.

 

"We had to compromise vis-à-vis our coalitional partners. It's a constant balancing act and I think we did well."

 

Lieberman is convinced that his party will only gain strength in the coming elections: "(The elections) will see two large parties that will anchor the Coalition. I'm sure many parties will want to be part of it, including Mofaz and Lapid. We'll have options."

 

 

  • Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.30.12, 10:55
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment