Sources close to Netanyahu say he is expected to back Olmerts appointment to permanent finance minister out of concern for countrys economy, but only if PM submits appointment to a separate Knesset vote; prime ministers associates in response: Netanyahu wont determine what we will bring to a vote Attila Somfalvi In case Prime Minister Ariel Sharon submits each ministerial appointment to a separate Knesset vote, MK Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to back the appointment of Ehud Olmert to permanent finance minister out of concern for the countrys economy, sources close to former Finance Minister Netanyahu said recently. On Monday Netanyahu met with Likud MKs Gideon Saar and Michael Eitan, who are trying to reach a compromise with Likud members opposed to the ministerial appointments of Ronnie Bar-on and Zeev Boim. ‘Poker with no cards’ Netanyahu is set to vote against the appointments should they be presented as e package, but his associates said he would be willing to back the Olmerts appointment in case it is voted on separately. Source close to the prime minister criticized Netanyahu for his position ion the matter. Netanyahu will not determine what we will bring to a vote, one source told Ynet. The government has reached a decision, and it will be submitted to a Knesset vote as is. In the coming days Saar and Eitan are scheduled to hold additional talks on the matter in a bid to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, Sharons associates launched a scathing attack on Labor MKs, who have issued threats stating they do not plan on voting in favor of the 2006 budget in the first reading unless it is amended. They (Labor MKs) are playing Poker with no cards, a source close to the prime minister said. They are the last ones who want to bring this government down. Elections for Labor party leadership are scheduled for November 8.
PM’s associates: Bibi wont call shots
2005. november 2 09:58
