Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon will present Israel\'s largest government ever this afternoon. Its 25 definite ministers include 8 from the Likud, 8 from Labor, 5 from Shas, 2 from National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu, and one each from Am Echad and Yisrael B\'Aliyah. A minister from the Central Party may also be appointed.
The government will not be presented before 4:45 PM, and not before three other important issues are voted on: a first reading of the annual national budget, the nullification of the direct-election of the Prime Minister, and an extension of the status quo enabling yeshiva students to defer their army service. The last two are expected to pass by narrow margins. The new government will be voted in following speeches by Ariel Sharon and opposition leader MK Yossi Sarid of Meretz.
The government will not be presented before 4:45 PM, and not before three other important issues are voted on: a first reading of the annual national budget, the nullification of the direct-election of the Prime Minister, and an extension of the status quo enabling yeshiva students to defer their army service. The last two are expected to pass by narrow margins. The new government will be voted in following speeches by Ariel Sharon and opposition leader MK Yossi Sarid of Meretz.