Premier-elect Tzipi Livni before Simchas Torah received a two-week extension from President Shimon Peres, providing her additional time to continue negotiations towards establishing her coalition government. Her situation is appearing increasingly precarious as it appears Shas is willing to remain in opposition rather than entering a coalition that does not conform with the party’s demands.

Livni’s problems in establishing a coalition are not just from the various political parities in Knesset but from inside her own party as well. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, who lost the party leadership race to Livni, announced he has no plans of entering into a narrow coalition with Livni, namely a government that does not include Shas. A number of other party members have aligned themselves with Mofaz’s announced position, vowing they will vote with the opposition in a no-confidence motion and topple a minority government.

The rebellion among Kadima members was sparked by Livni’s signaling that she plans to move ahead with a coalition including Labor and the left-wing Meretz Party in place of Shas. Despite ongoing meetings between Shas representatives and Kadima coalition architects, various sources are reporting on Wednesday morning that Shas’ inclusion in the Livni government is not likely at this juncture. Mofaz last week also met with Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, seeking to persuade him to agree to enter into a Livni-led coalition.

Senior Kadima officials report that Mofaz and Shas leader Minister Eli Yishai are in agreement, with Mofaz reportedly telling Yishai he will adamantly object to a government coalition including Meretz over Shas.

Mofaz enjoys the support of fellow party members MKs Ze’ev Elkin, Ronit Tirosh, Otniel Schneller, and David Tal, all warning Livni would be making a major error by presenting a narrow government including Meretz. Schneller stated Kadima is a centrist party and therefore, is compelled to establish a coalition including Shas and other parties. Tal, a former Shas MK, stated that he will not lend a hand to the establishment of a narrow-based coalition. Tirosh has not ruled out voting against such a coalition if and when Livni presents it.

The daily Yediot Achronot reports a senior Kadima official stated that going to elections is preferable to presenting a narrow coalition government. “Tzipi does not know how to conduct negotiations. She is naïve. This is her first time and she is exhibiting distress and is turning to Mofaz and [Knesset Speaker] Dalia Itzik too much for support. She will not succeed in gaining Knesset support for a narrow government.”

Minister Ze’ev Boim, who has supported the Mofaz camp, has stated that he is willing to support a narrow based government headed by Livni as negotiations continue with Shas. He did state however that doing so would present logistical problems since it would demand keeping the cabinet posts vacant in the event Shas would decide to join the government at a later stage.

Boim did state however that a narrow coalition is only acceptable for a limited period and one cannot expect to run the nation under such an arrangement. He added that Kadima is a centrist party and it cannot be the right-wing coalition member with its defined left-wing position on issues. He is referring to entering into a narrow coalition with Meretz and Labor, leaving Kadima as the most right-wing party in the coalition.

Regarding Shas Party demands, Boim feels Livni should acquiesce since if the nation goes to elections, Shas ultimately will receive that which it seeks and from a Kadima perspective, it will be advantageous arriving at such an agreement now, not by heading to the polls.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel – written on isru chag in Eretz Yisrael)