Coalition partner: Government’s survival ‘slim’

Israel’s finance minister doesn’t hold out much hope for the government’s long-term viability.

By World Israel News Staff

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, head of the Kulanu (or “All of Us”) Party, said the government’s long-term prospects are bleak in an interview with radio show Haolam Haboker on Monday.

“Let’s be honest, the coalition is flimsy,” he said.

“I don’t want to topple the government, but we are here to get things done, not to just survive. A government that is struggling to survive isn’t getting anything done,” he noted.

The problem is the government one seat majority at 61 seats, which leaves no wiggle room, Kahlon said . “It’ll be difficult to pass other laws. Every controversial law will require that we reach an agreement.”

Under such circumstances, the government’s chances for survival are slim, he says.

The Likud-led coalition was left with 61 seats after the Yisrael Beitenu Party led by Avigdor Liberman split from the government earlier this month over a disagreement with how to handle Hamas in Gaza. Liberman took five seats with him, leaving the government with its current razor-thin, one-vote majority.

Without the cushion of those seats, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requires complete agreement from all members of his government in order to move legislation forward.