- 02 Dec 2014 00:36
#14493213
Ow, Netanyahu having coalition problems. I don't know if early elections would be good for the country though.
Israel headed to elections: Lapid rejects Netanyahu's terms for saving coalition
Haaretz
Finance Minister Yair Lapid late Monday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ultimatums presented to him in a meeting billed as a last-ditch attempt to preserve the coalition.
Netanyahu demanded that Lapid stop “sabotaging the work of the government,” retract his opposition to Netanyahu’s version of the Jewish nation-state bill, and freeze the zero-VAT plan, the flagship of Lapid’s economic agenda.
At the end of the hour-long meeting, Lapid told the prime minister that he could not accede to these demands – paving his way out of the coalition.
Moments after the meeting, Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri calls on all faction heads to "meet at once and to reach an agreement for setting a date as quickly as possible for elections." Shas' move brings forward elections, as Netanyahu will not be able to form an alternative coalition without the Haredi parties.
“If the unprecedented behavior of some government ministers continues, there will be no choice but to go to elections again,” Netanyahu said in a statement after the meeting. No reaction from Lapid was forthcoming by press time.
Netanyahu also demanded that Lapid transfer NIS 6 billion to the Defense Ministry for training and equipment, and free the funds necessary for the Israel Defense Forces to move its training bases to the Negev.
The meeting was the first between the two men since the crisis between them erupted a few weeks ago. The meeting was aimed at deciding whether the two could continue working together or whether new elections should be called.
Netanyahu’s associates said prior to the meeting that he hasn’t yet decided whether to continue the current coalition or call new elections, and his decision will rest largely on the outcome of the meeting with Lapid. Lapid’s Yesh Atid party is Netanyahu’s largest coalition partner.
Ow, Netanyahu having coalition problems. I don't know if early elections would be good for the country though.
"Why is it always the innocents who suffer most, when you high lords play your game of thrones?" Lord Varys, Game of Thrones.