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| Israel-Palestine |
| Sharon's coalition partner issues ultimatum |
| 2004-11-26 |
| Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's largest coalition partner threatened to quit Thursday, raising the possibility of early elections that could endanger his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next year. The secular-rights Shinui Party warned that it would leave the government if Sharon gives in to financial demands by a small religious party in return for much-needed support in upcoming budget votes. Sharon lost a majority in the parliament earlier this year, with hawks defecting in protest over the Gaza plan. In recent months, he has tried to expand his coalition. The prime minister faces critical votes on the proposed 2005 state budget as early as next week. Failure to approve the budget could bring down his government. Sharon's Likud Party has been negotiating with the United Torah Judaism Party, offering to increase funding to their religious institutions. Sharon initially also courted Labor. However, the prime minister told Labor leader Shimon Peres earlier this week that he could not invite the party into the coalition because of strong opposition in his right-wing Likud Party. Labor had provided a parliamentary "safety net" to Sharon's government in recent months to ensure he could implement the Gaza withdrawal. However, in response to Sharon's refusal, Labor said it would withdraw the safety net. Shinui leader Yosef Lapid said he'll urge Sharon to ignore the Likud hardliners and to invite Labor. A Likud-Shinui-Labor coalition would be best equipped to push ahead with the Gaza plan, Lapid said. If instead Sharon invites religious parties, at a price of increased funding for religious institutions, Shinui will quit, Lapid told Israel Army Radio. "We've reached the breaking point," he said. "There's no reason for me to stay in a government that is willing to capitulate (to religious parties)." The government hopes to pass the 2005 budget in its first reading next week, but has the support of only between 55 and 57 seats in the 120-member in the parliament. Support of the five lawmakers of the United Torah Judaism Party would help Sharon pass the budget, although three Likud lawmakers have threatened to vote against it. The parliament must pass the budget in three readings by December 31 or risk causing damage to the economy. The government falls if the budget does not pass by March 31. |
| Posted by:Steve White |