The change, which would alter basic government law, requires 61 votes and would seal the Labor-Likud coalition deal that provides for Peres to be a special deputy to Sharon, in addition to Ehud Olmert. Eight Likud Knesset members said they would not vote on the bill, leaving Sharon only with 54 supporters from Likud, Labor and Am Achad. Shas' 11 MKs gives Sharon a majority when the bill comes up for a vote.
The bill passed a preliminary reading 56-34 Monday night and is scheduled to return Tuesday for the first of three readings, but the constant political instability promises that nothing is certain as the Knesset has become proof of the "law of constant change." Peres himself sealed the coalition deal Saturday night and the next day almost torpedoed it when he discovered that changing the basic law would delay his promised deputy ministry.
The bill still has to pass a Knesset committee whose chairman Michael Eitan (Likud) said he is against giving it quick approval without examining possible ramifications of a change in the basic government law. Sunday, Peres protested against such a delay. Sharon has pressured MKs that they must support the bill if they don't want to face elections, a frequent refrain since the coalition broke apart in November over the budget.
The Sharon government has become one of changing partners. Monday's surprise support from Shas came after the party rejected joining the coalition, but Shas decided to rescue Sharon, giving it extra bargaining chips in future negotiations.
Left wing parties have promised support on the so-called disengagement plan but are split over whether to support the proposed 2005 budget. The Labor party also was split until its coalition negotiators managed to receive several cabinet ministries and, of course, Peres' new post with responsibilities yet to be defined.
The anti-religious Shinui party MKs a month ago were best of friends with Labor as Shinui tried to woo it into a secular coalition until it left the government when Sharon granted funds to the United Torah Judaism party. But in the Knesset Monday afternoon, Shinui party leader Yosef (Tomy) Lapid announced his party would not back the change in the basic law. He objected that Rimon, the bill's sponsor introduced a bill restricting the number of cabinet posts when Ehud Barak was prime minister.
Lapid said, "Now he wants to arrange a ministry" for Peres, who verbally attacked Lapid. "What have you contributed? All you have done is attack the religious," Peres shouted.
If the bill for creating a new deputy ministry passes first reading, Labor may consider meeting as early as Tuesday to confirm the coalition and determine how and when to appoint ministers for the promised posts. Potential obstacles are legal appeals against the procedure. Labor also is bound to suffer from in-fighting over who will receive the cabinet posts.
Theoretically, Sharon can present his new coalition next week, which already is later than he anticipated. However, the biggest surprise would be if there are no more surprises as politicians change their positions depending on which way the wind is blowing.
The bill passed a preliminary reading 56-34 Monday night and is scheduled to return Tuesday for the first of three readings, but the constant political instability promises that nothing is certain as the Knesset has become proof of the "law of constant change." Peres himself sealed the coalition deal Saturday night and the next day almost torpedoed it when he discovered that changing the basic law would delay his promised deputy ministry.
The bill still has to pass a Knesset committee whose chairman Michael Eitan (Likud) said he is against giving it quick approval without examining possible ramifications of a change in the basic government law. Sunday, Peres protested against such a delay. Sharon has pressured MKs that they must support the bill if they don't want to face elections, a frequent refrain since the coalition broke apart in November over the budget.
The Sharon government has become one of changing partners. Monday's surprise support from Shas came after the party rejected joining the coalition, but Shas decided to rescue Sharon, giving it extra bargaining chips in future negotiations.
Left wing parties have promised support on the so-called disengagement plan but are split over whether to support the proposed 2005 budget. The Labor party also was split until its coalition negotiators managed to receive several cabinet ministries and, of course, Peres' new post with responsibilities yet to be defined.
The anti-religious Shinui party MKs a month ago were best of friends with Labor as Shinui tried to woo it into a secular coalition until it left the government when Sharon granted funds to the United Torah Judaism party. But in the Knesset Monday afternoon, Shinui party leader Yosef (Tomy) Lapid announced his party would not back the change in the basic law. He objected that Rimon, the bill's sponsor introduced a bill restricting the number of cabinet posts when Ehud Barak was prime minister.
Lapid said, "Now he wants to arrange a ministry" for Peres, who verbally attacked Lapid. "What have you contributed? All you have done is attack the religious," Peres shouted.
If the bill for creating a new deputy ministry passes first reading, Labor may consider meeting as early as Tuesday to confirm the coalition and determine how and when to appoint ministers for the promised posts. Potential obstacles are legal appeals against the procedure. Labor also is bound to suffer from in-fighting over who will receive the cabinet posts.
Theoretically, Sharon can present his new coalition next week, which already is later than he anticipated. However, the biggest surprise would be if there are no more surprises as politicians change their positions depending on which way the wind is blowing.