Livni 'not convinced' Shas wants to partake in government
Kadima chairwoman's aides say she's growing impatient with haredi party's stalling; add decision on narrow coalition or early election close
With just 11 days left until Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni has to present the Knesset with her new government, her aides reported Thursday she has begun growing impatient with Shas' stalling its decision on whether or not it intends to join her coalition.
Livni has offered the haredi party and United Torah Judaism an attractive coalition deal, amounting to nearly NIS 1 billion (approximately $257 million), but Shas has turned her down.
Sources in Shas told Ynet that the decision to turn the offer down was made after party head Eli Yishai consulted with its spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
Yishai was also quoted as saying that Shas "will not cave in to threats. No one puts a gun to our head or gives us ultimatums. If Livni brings a narrow coalition before the Knesset we will vote against it."
According to sources close to the negotiations, Livni has no intention of making any future gestures as far as Shas is concerned; telling several senior Kadima members she was not completely convinces that Shas wants to become a part of the coalition.
She also reportedly added that she was very close to deciding on whether or not she would present the Knesset with a narrow the coalition, or opt for an early election instead.
On other negotiation front, Kadima's overtures toward Meretz seem to be faring better: Meretz-Yahad Chairman Chaim Oron said Wednesday that the two parties have made significant progress and are close to reaching an agreement.
