Israel Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, may demand the Finance portfolio in any coalition agreement. Political sources believe the party will demand the Finance or Foreign Affairs portfolio for Lieberman, a senior economic portfolio for Stas Misezhnikov Housing or Industry, Trade and Labor the Tourism portfolio for Yitzhak Aharonovitch, a security portfolio for Uzi Landau, and the Justice portfolio to remain with Daniel Friedman. The party may also seek the Interior portfolio.
While Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni vie for Lieberman's support, Misezhnikov, who heads Israel Beiteinu's coalition negotiations team, told "Globes" today that his party did not rule out the possibility of recommending Lieberman to the president as the most suitable candidate for prime minister. The remarks were presumably intended to boost Israel Beiteinu's bargaining position vis-à-vis Netanyahu in advance of the opening of negotiations.
Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) chairman Ofer Eini does not reject the idea of Lieberman as minister of finance. Talking to "Globes", Eini said that a government formed by Netanyahu would not return to the economic policies of 2003, and revealed what Netanyahu promised him before the elections. "Bibi told me in a private conversation that he was in favor of dialogue and three-way cooperation between the government, employers, and workers. I haven't become Bibi's commentator; ask him what he has in mind. In any event, we and the employers know how to cooperate, but with the present minister of finance, Ronnie Bar-On, we didn't succeed. Therefore, a great deal depends on who will be the next minister of finance," Eini said.
"I extend my hand to Bibi for dialogue," he added, "but if he doesn't take it, I'll know how to deal with that."
On the possibility that Netanyahu will realize his economic vision of a slimmer public sector, Eini said, "Bibi implored employers not to lay off workers. Therefore, I believe that as an employer himself he will not lay off workers."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 12, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009