Race for Avigdor Lieberman's hand underway

Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni are courting the leader of the third largest party, who holds the key to forming a coalition.

After the inconclusive results of Israel's general election yesterday, the race to win Avigdor Lieberman's support has begun. Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu both began determinedly courting the Israel Beiteinu chairman, each seeking to persuade him to join a government under his or her leadership. Although Israel Beiteinu won only 15 seats, fewer than had been predicted, Lieberman still heads the third largest party in the new Knesset, and he is the one who will determine whether Livni can form a coalition or whether only Netanyahu can do so.

Since the election results are not yet final, the party leaders cannot begin coalition negotiations officially, but Livni and Netanyahu each engaged in a round of talks and meetings, each attempting to steal a march on the other in building a bloc on the way to forming a government.

Livni met Lieberman this afternoon, and proposed that he should join a government with her as head, that would promote the civil agenda supported by Lieberman, including changing the electoral system, raising the threshold for parties to gain Knesset representation, and civil marriage. "This is an opportunity for unity that will advance the matters that are important to you as well," Livni told him. The two agreed to continue talking.

Lieberman is also due to meet Netanyahu today. For the time being, Israel Beiteinu is refusing to express support for either candidate and is leaving its options open.

While Livni met Lieberman, Netanyahu talked to Shas leader Eli Yishai. The two agreed to set up a government of the right under Netanyahu, and to make it as broad and as stable as possible. Yishai did not rule out sitting in a government alongside Lieberman, even though Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef called Lieberman "Satan" during the election campaign.

Sources in Likud expressed confidence this morning in Netanyahu's ability to form a government and rejected out of hand the idea of a rotation between Netanyahu and Livni as prime minister.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 11, 2009

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009

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