Premier-designate and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met in her Tel Aviv home on motzei Shabbos, gathering her closest political allies, Kadima officials and advisors. Livni was seeking input regarding her options, to present a narrow government to President Shimon Peres or alternatively, to inform him that she is unable to form a coalition government and call for national elections.

Livni explained during the meeting that she fears continuing coalition talks for such a move she believes would compel her to acquiesce to “political extortion” and she does not wish to go to this level, nor does she wish to tarnish her name which she worked to create during her years in public service.

At present, Livni has successfully brought the Labor Party on board. Shas has announced it will not become a member of her government and the United Torah Judaism Party appears to share Shas sentiment, heading for the opposition. There are differences [as usual] however regarding opinions of the Degel and Agudah faction of UTJ. The Pensioners Party shunned Livni representatives again on Saturday night, explaining the party is unwilling to join a coalition under present realities.

This basically leaves Livni with Meretz as an option, which will not permit her a Knesset majority. Even with UTJ, her coalition would be too unstable to function with the large opposition.

It appears that today, Sunday; Livni will officially inform President Shimon Peres that elections are on the horizon, although the situation may still change on Sunday morning but this is an unlikely eventuality.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)