The Likud and the National Religious Party signed a rough-draft agreement this morning, paving the way for the latter to enter the coalition together with the anti-hareidi Shinui party. The development seemed to be an indication that the Labor Party, in its meeting today, would reject Sharon's invitation to join the government - and that is in fact what happened; see next article.
The NRP will receive two government ministries - Housing, and Labor and Welfare - as well as a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, and the Chairmanship of the Knesset Labor Committee. It is likely that party leader Effie Eitam, MK Zevulun Orlev, Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, and Sha'ul Yahalom, respectively, will fill these positions. Rabbi Levy may vie for one of the ministerial positions, however.
Shinui will be allocated its portfolios tomorrow, and is expecting to receive five portfolios for its 15 Knesset Members, based on the fact that the NRP (6 MKs) received two. Likud sources said, however, that the NRP received a "bonus" for being the first party to officially join the coalition. The Likud also hopes to attract the National Union party into the coalition, but the hareidi parties - United Torah Judaism and Shas - are likely to remain on the sidelines. They are furious at the NRP for its compromises with Shinui on religious matters.
Shinui and the NRP agreed on Friday that the Tal Law would be replaced by another law that will more strictly regulate military exemptions for yeshiva students; that the Religious Affairs Ministry will be dismantled; that the local Religious Councils will be transferred to the Interior Ministry; and that the law providing for extra financial allowances for large families will be nullified. There will be no change in the ban on public transportation on the Sabbath, however.
The NRP will receive two government ministries - Housing, and Labor and Welfare - as well as a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, and the Chairmanship of the Knesset Labor Committee. It is likely that party leader Effie Eitam, MK Zevulun Orlev, Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, and Sha'ul Yahalom, respectively, will fill these positions. Rabbi Levy may vie for one of the ministerial positions, however.
Shinui will be allocated its portfolios tomorrow, and is expecting to receive five portfolios for its 15 Knesset Members, based on the fact that the NRP (6 MKs) received two. Likud sources said, however, that the NRP received a "bonus" for being the first party to officially join the coalition. The Likud also hopes to attract the National Union party into the coalition, but the hareidi parties - United Torah Judaism and Shas - are likely to remain on the sidelines. They are furious at the NRP for its compromises with Shinui on religious matters.
Shinui and the NRP agreed on Friday that the Tal Law would be replaced by another law that will more strictly regulate military exemptions for yeshiva students; that the Religious Affairs Ministry will be dismantled; that the local Religious Councils will be transferred to the Interior Ministry; and that the law providing for extra financial allowances for large families will be nullified. There will be no change in the ban on public transportation on the Sabbath, however.