A statement from the President’s Office said Katzav will announce he has asked Olmert to form a coalition government after they meet.
Olmert called last week’s election “a national referendum on the diplomatic issues that face Israel today.”. He told Kadima party Knesset members that the party’s victory meant the country had decided in favor of his “convergence” plan to set final borders, unilaterally if necessary.
Olmert said he expects to complete coalition talks within the next few weeks, by the beginning of May at latest. He added that it was essential to get the government moving as soon as possible.
“We have been operating in the past six months without a government that enjoys a stable parliamentary majority,” he said. “The 2006 budget has yet to be approved. This is neither a good nor a healthy situation.”
Labor is slated to join the government as a senior coalition member, and sources in both parties said that chairman Amir Peretz will likely be given the Defense portfolio. Labor will also receive the Education portfolio. Finance and Foreign ministries will remain with Kadima.
Olmert apparently also decided to go ahead with a political ‘hot potato’ and include Avigdor Lieberman in the next government. The head of the Yisrael Beitenu party was the source of much controversy, with both Labor and Meretz having said previously that they would refuse to sit in a coalition government with Yisrael Beitenu.
Nonetheless, it appeared Wednesday that Lieberman's party was set to become a member of the new coalition government. Labor party officials were not convinced the decision was final, however, and chose not to comment on what would happen if the possibility came true.
“When the time comes, we’ll deal with it,” said a senior Labor official.
Olmert called last week’s election “a national referendum on the diplomatic issues that face Israel today.”. He told Kadima party Knesset members that the party’s victory meant the country had decided in favor of his “convergence” plan to set final borders, unilaterally if necessary.
Olmert said he expects to complete coalition talks within the next few weeks, by the beginning of May at latest. He added that it was essential to get the government moving as soon as possible.
“We have been operating in the past six months without a government that enjoys a stable parliamentary majority,” he said. “The 2006 budget has yet to be approved. This is neither a good nor a healthy situation.”
Labor is slated to join the government as a senior coalition member, and sources in both parties said that chairman Amir Peretz will likely be given the Defense portfolio. Labor will also receive the Education portfolio. Finance and Foreign ministries will remain with Kadima.
Olmert apparently also decided to go ahead with a political ‘hot potato’ and include Avigdor Lieberman in the next government. The head of the Yisrael Beitenu party was the source of much controversy, with both Labor and Meretz having said previously that they would refuse to sit in a coalition government with Yisrael Beitenu.
Nonetheless, it appeared Wednesday that Lieberman's party was set to become a member of the new coalition government. Labor party officials were not convinced the decision was final, however, and chose not to comment on what would happen if the possibility came true.
“When the time comes, we’ll deal with it,” said a senior Labor official.