Herzog: We prefer alternate coalition over fresh elections
Labor minister says party will try to reach agreement with whoever replaces Olmert as Kadima head on political, economic, security-related issues to avoid general vote, but says disputes over 2009 budget may obstruct move
"We are maintaining our position that forming a new coalition is preferable (to holding new elections)," Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog said Thursday in the wake of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's announcement that he would be stepping down following the September 17 Kadima primaries.
Speaking at a Pensioners’ Union conference in Tel Aviv, the Labor minister said "we prefer an alternative government. We won't intervene in the Kadima primaries, but once they are concluded we will see whether we can reach an agreement with whoever is elected Kadima chairman on social, economic, diplomatic and security-related issues.
"However, it is clear to me that in light of the difficulties pertaining to the 2009 State Budget it won't be simple to establish a new coalition, and it is very possible that new elections will be held as early as March 2009," Herzog said.
Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, also from Labor, told the conference he believed Olmert's decision was commendable. "A leader must know when to make tough decisions, and the PM has reached a difficult but appropriate decision," he said.
"I spoke to him (Olmert) quite a few times about this and told him that I would want him to leave with his head held high."
Ben-Eliezer said Labor is "prepared for any scenario - be it the formation of an alternate government or new elections".
Labor Secretary-General Eitan Cabel said shortly after Olmert's announcement Wednesday evening that the formation of a new coalition "won’t be as easy as some may think," adding that it is in all of the political parties' interests to avoid new elections.
