The struggle for the finance portfolio is likely to be at the center of negotiations to build the next coalition. Although finance is considered one of the top three portfolios, it will probably become even more prominent, in view of the priority of social economic issues caused by the composition of the 17th Knesset.
Therefore, opinion is growing in Kadima that it should hold onto the finance portfolio in order to lead social change, rather than handing the portfolio over to its senior coalition partner, presumably Labor, thereby strengthening its political support ahead of the next elections.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s candidate for minister of finance is Avraham Hirchson, his political ally and old friend. Hirchson is also preferred because of his achievements in his two previous posts as chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee and Minister of Tourism.
Hirchson’s only rival for the finance portfolio within Kadima is Minister of Transport Meir Sheetrit. He briefly served as Minister of Finance towards the end of the Netanyahu government of 1996-99, and was co-Minister of Finance alongside Netanyahu in the second Sharon government.
Since it won fewer seats than expected and because it prefers the finance portfolio, Kadima will have to concede the defense portfolio to its senior coalition partner, after Olmert promised the foreign affairs portfolio to Tzippi Livni, who is also the leading candidate for the post of acting prime minister.
Labor Party chairman MK Amir Perez’s associates are already readying him for the possibility that Labor will not receive the finance portfolio, and they are trying to get him to accept the defense portfolio, which will strengthen his position within the party. Other Labor Party sources are proposing to give the defense portfolio to Ami Ayalon, while Perez will channel his social welfare energy to the labor and social affairs portfolio, after labor is separated from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.
In the struggle for political prestige, the labor and social affairs portfolio has become the focus of a partisan fight. Against the default option of Labor, Shas wants this portfolio, and the Pensioners Party might also demand it.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 30, 2006
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2006