Hirschson has been holding marathon meetings with coalition partner leaders in an effort to enlist their support for the controversial budget.
Despite strong objections to a number of significant budgetary items, it appears that ministers of the Retiree and Labor Parties will vote in favor when presented to the cabinet on Tuesday. Shas leader Eli Yishai on the other hand announced there is no way he will raise his hand in support of the budget, reiterating Shas joined the government to implement changes towards assisting the weaker socio-economic sectors of society.
Elected officials from the Negev region are calling on ministers to reject the budget since promised funding towards Negev infrastructure and modernization do not appear, with Hirschson explaining the war in Lebanon has taken its toll on a number of budgetary commitments.
In order to obtain support for the budget, Hirschson was compelled to make a number of significant changes. Labor leader Defense Minister Amir Peretz announced his party would not show flexibility regarding the planned increase in the monthly minimum wage and other key issues. Peretz is also fighting for additional funding for the Defense Ministry to cover the staggering cost of the war in Lebanon.
The Labor faction is planning to convene on Tuesday ahead of the cabinet to make a final decision regarding the vote.
Senior Labor official, National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer met with Hirschson on Monday in another attempt to reach an agreement on the budget, but he was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, analysts believe Labor will vote in favor, perhaps in light of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signaling to Peretz that if Labor, the senior coalition partner, does not support the budget, then he will have no other alternative but to launch talks towards building a new coalition.
Health Minister (Retiree Party) Yaakov Ben-Yizri insists the treasury make good on promises to complete a major reform package, which carries a price tag NIS 250-300 million. The Retiree Party is also expected to approve the budget on the cabinet level in Tuesday’s special session.
Shas ministers on the other hand have released statements that they will oppose the budget, calling it one that is not conducive to assisting the lower-income elements of society. Party leader Industry & Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai acknowledged that Hirschson has agreed to implement a number of changes, but he stated those changes are too marginal and not enough to win Shas’ support for the budget.
Should the cabinet vote to pass the budget, then Hirschson must present it to Knesset, another hurdle, followed by the Knesset Finance Committee, where Yishai and his colleagues promise the real battle will begin.
Despite strong objections to a number of significant budgetary items, it appears that ministers of the Retiree and Labor Parties will vote in favor when presented to the cabinet on Tuesday. Shas leader Eli Yishai on the other hand announced there is no way he will raise his hand in support of the budget, reiterating Shas joined the government to implement changes towards assisting the weaker socio-economic sectors of society.
Elected officials from the Negev region are calling on ministers to reject the budget since promised funding towards Negev infrastructure and modernization do not appear, with Hirschson explaining the war in Lebanon has taken its toll on a number of budgetary commitments.
In order to obtain support for the budget, Hirschson was compelled to make a number of significant changes. Labor leader Defense Minister Amir Peretz announced his party would not show flexibility regarding the planned increase in the monthly minimum wage and other key issues. Peretz is also fighting for additional funding for the Defense Ministry to cover the staggering cost of the war in Lebanon.
The Labor faction is planning to convene on Tuesday ahead of the cabinet to make a final decision regarding the vote.
Senior Labor official, National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer met with Hirschson on Monday in another attempt to reach an agreement on the budget, but he was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, analysts believe Labor will vote in favor, perhaps in light of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signaling to Peretz that if Labor, the senior coalition partner, does not support the budget, then he will have no other alternative but to launch talks towards building a new coalition.
Health Minister (Retiree Party) Yaakov Ben-Yizri insists the treasury make good on promises to complete a major reform package, which carries a price tag NIS 250-300 million. The Retiree Party is also expected to approve the budget on the cabinet level in Tuesday’s special session.
Shas ministers on the other hand have released statements that they will oppose the budget, calling it one that is not conducive to assisting the lower-income elements of society. Party leader Industry & Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai acknowledged that Hirschson has agreed to implement a number of changes, but he stated those changes are too marginal and not enough to win Shas’ support for the budget.
Should the cabinet vote to pass the budget, then Hirschson must present it to Knesset, another hurdle, followed by the Knesset Finance Committee, where Yishai and his colleagues promise the real battle will begin.