Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly is ready, if not willing, for Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to resign, paving the way for a Likud-Labor coalition. Likud party representatives previously have sharply disapproved of allowing Labor join the government.
"If he doesn't want the burden, I am sure someone else will be willing to take it upon himself," said Sharon advisor Eyal Arad Thursday, referring to Netanyahu. "We cannot force anyone to be a minister."
Netanyahu has joined other anti-disengagement MKs and given the Prime Minister 12 days to agree to a national referendum as a condition for their remaining in the coalition. Sharon has refused to budge on the idea of a referendum, and now is calling Netanyahu’s bluff.
The finance minister, who was trounced by Sharon in the Likud primaries several years ago, stated Wednesday he is ready to challenge the Prime Minister to head the Likud party if the government falls and elections are held.
Expecting Netanyahu’s resignation, Sharon already is considering as a replacement Eli Horovitz, a wealthy businessman and member of the Labor party, according to Israeli journalist Yoav Yitzchak. His appointment might be enough to convince the Labor party to support Sharon’s failing coalition on issues other than disengagement. Other reports say that Trade Minister Ehud Olmert is a prime candidate being considered.
Public opinion polls published Thursday reveal that Netanyahu’s maneuvers this week failed miserably and that if elections were held today, a vast majority would prefer Sharon over the finance minister.
"If he doesn't want the burden, I am sure someone else will be willing to take it upon himself," said Sharon advisor Eyal Arad Thursday, referring to Netanyahu. "We cannot force anyone to be a minister."
Netanyahu has joined other anti-disengagement MKs and given the Prime Minister 12 days to agree to a national referendum as a condition for their remaining in the coalition. Sharon has refused to budge on the idea of a referendum, and now is calling Netanyahu’s bluff.
The finance minister, who was trounced by Sharon in the Likud primaries several years ago, stated Wednesday he is ready to challenge the Prime Minister to head the Likud party if the government falls and elections are held.
Expecting Netanyahu’s resignation, Sharon already is considering as a replacement Eli Horovitz, a wealthy businessman and member of the Labor party, according to Israeli journalist Yoav Yitzchak. His appointment might be enough to convince the Labor party to support Sharon’s failing coalition on issues other than disengagement. Other reports say that Trade Minister Ehud Olmert is a prime candidate being considered.
Public opinion polls published Thursday reveal that Netanyahu’s maneuvers this week failed miserably and that if elections were held today, a vast majority would prefer Sharon over the finance minister.