Coalition Permutations

Arutz 7 ^ | 2 February 2003

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Coalition Permutations Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Shinui Party leader Tommy Lapid met privately this morning for the first time since the election. They agreed during their two-hour chat to work towards the goal of forming a joint government - without the National Union. The two did not come to an agreement on Shas, however, though Lapid said he would accept United Torah Judaism as a coalition partner.

Shinui's main campaign promise was that it would not sit in a coalition government together with the hareidi parties Shas and UTJ. Meretz MK Zahava Gal'on said, "It's not even 24 hours after the release of the final election results, and Lapid has already backtracked on his promise not to sit with hareidim."

Sharon and Lapid agreed to establish negotiating teams in their respective parties to discuss and iron out points to be included in possible government guidelines. These will include religion and state, economic problems of the middle class, and the Road Map plan calling for a Palestinian state within three years.

Mr. Sharon will meet with Labor Party leader Amram Mitzna on Monday, and will attempt to persuade him to enter into a unity government. Mitzna is, as of now, steadfast in his opposition to joining a government headed by Sharon.

One possibility under consideration is a Likud-Shinui government with the NRP, Yisrael B'Aliyah, United Torah Judaism, and Am Echad - for a total of 69 seats. This would have the disadvantages of antagonizing Shas; giving the NRP and its 6 seats veto power (as UTJ would not want to remain the only religious party in the coalition); and, by leaving out the National Union, possibly angering some members of the Likud itself.