Four days after Kadima pulled out of Benjamin Netanyahu 'sunity government ,senior party officials are estimating that a split is just a matter of days or weeks.
There are three possible scenarios: secession of MKs seeking to align with Tzipi Livni ,a group headed by Tzachi Hanegi pulling out to join the coalition, and a 15-MK group seeking to overthrow Shaul Mofaz as faction head and rejoin the government.
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Last week, Netanyahu advisers held back-to-back talks with Kadima MKs regarding the state budget, Moshe Ya'alon's draft bill, a committee to change the form of government and early elections.
Coalition Chairman Zeev Elkin also met with Kadima MKs. Coaliton sources claim that Prime Minister Netanyahu is seeking to minimize Yisrael Beiteinu's power by joining forces with Kadima defectors.
Hanegbi (L) Mofaz and Livni in better days (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The sources added that the sides also discussed the portfolio division in a future government should the split go ahead. Members of Netanyahu's staff also held talks with the "Livni loyalists."
Tensions mounting
- It remains unclear which of the scenarios will materialize first, but tensions at the party are mounting. Mofaz's men fear that there is at least one group of seven MKs planning to withdraw from the party.
Hanegni's associates said he is considering announcing he is pulling out of Kadima next week, which will result in the withdrawal of many activists and MKs. He is currently engaged in talks with various MKs as well as the prime minister.
Other MKs who may decide to leave Mofaz's Kadima include Dalia Itzick, Avi Dichter, Otniel Schneller, Arie Bibi and Shamalov-Berkovich.