The latter demand is based on a proposal written by Vice Premier Chaim Ramon. Ramon's “voluntary evacuation” plan was widely criticized by nationalists and political centrists, who argued that Israel should not pay to clear Jews from Judea and Samaria before the Palestinian Authority makes at least one concession.
Meretz will also demand that Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann be replaced. Friedmann has attempted to balance the Supreme Court's power by reducing the control that sitting judges have over the appointment of new judges and limiting the court's jurisdiction, a move that has brought him into frequent conflict with Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish, as well as Meretz and the Labor party.
Finally, the faction plans to demand that the national budget be increased by three percent instead of the planned 1.7 percent in 2009, and that the government insure workers' pensions.
Foreign Minister Livni has just over a month to create a coalition before President Shimon Peres either appoints a new party head to create a coalition or calls for general elections. She has met with Labor and Shas to discuss their terms for joining the coalition, and will meet with Meretz and the Pensioners party as well. Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home), and the National Union/National Religious Party have refused to join Livni's coalition and have called for general elections.