Kadima struggles to avoid split

Party still reeling from Mofaz' decision to join Netanyahu's coalition; aims to present 'detention bill' to prevent its MKs from forming new faction

Moran Azulay|Published: 05.14.12 , 11:42

The new Coalition is determined to stop a split in Kadima: The Ministerial Committee on Legislation is set to debate the government's proposed "detention bill" this coming Sunday, in what Knesset sources described as a "especially expedited procedure."

Senior House sources told Ynet Monday that the government is scrambling to get the law passed for fear the Kadima's Knesset members, who are unhappy with party Chairman Shaul Mofaz' decision to joint Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Coalition, may go rogue.

Related stories:

Mofaz' decision has met fierce opposition within the party. A quorum of only seven MKs would be required to enable the group to break off from Kadima and form a new faction.

The bill, presented by Tzipi Livni's replacement MK Yuval Zellner, states that in order for a faction to split from Kadima, which holds 28 seats, one-third of the party's MKs would have to sanction the move.

Ynet has learned that Mofaz' opposition within Kadima have been looking into the possibility of leaving the party in favor of a new political platform, possibly headed by the former chairwoman.

So far, only five Kadima MKs are backing the move.

Mofaz' allies in the party attempted to submit the bill to the Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Sunday, moving for an immediate hearing, but they were denied.