Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Wednesday salvaged an apparent political victory as the Israeli parliament approved his emergency austerity package by a 65-26 margin.
In a slap at Sharon late on Monday, ultra- Orthodox Shas party ministers shocked the house by voting against the package, sinking it in a 47-44 vote. After the late Monday vote an Sharon fired Shas’ cabinet ministers.
Following Wednesday’s vote, Sharon indicated that the firings, which are to take effect at midnight, would not be rescinded. The budget proposal now faces at least one more vote before final passage.
Prior to the planned Wednesday vote, Sharon had stuck to his guns, refusing to discuss any compromise with the ultra-Orthodox parties over the scheduled re-vote. Opinion polls published on Wednesday showed that Israelis overwhelmingly backed Sharon's stance against Shas. The Yedioth Ahronoth daily said 70 percent supported the ministers' dismissals. The Maariv newspaper put the figure at 62 percent.
Sharon said Tuesday afternoon that he would seek to expand his coalition from the bare-minimum 60 Knesset seats it will retain as of midnight, when letters he sent firing the ministers and deputy ministers take effect. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
