Off the wire
• UN seeks to strengthen cooperation with regional organizations  • IMF loans 200 mln USD to Jordan  • Novo Nordisk invests 1.5 bln kroner on new facility  • Interview: EU-China summit key moment to strengthen relations: Mogherini  • Insecurity, lack of fuel hinder aid delivery in Yemen: UN  • UN chief to travel to Russia, Poland, Ukraine  • UN chief names new deputy special coordinator for Middle East peace process  • Midfielder Cabaye to raise concerns about regular position for France  • 15 killed in tribal clashes in northwest Kenya  • Tanzanian President Kikwete chairs first meeting of UN high level panel  
You are here: 　 Home

Israeli PM's Likud party inks coalition deal with ultra-Orthodox Shas party

Xinhua, May 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party Monday signed a coalition agreement with the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, passing another hurdle on its way to establishing a new government following the March 17 elections.

Under the agreement, Shas leader Aryeh Deri will become the economy minister and his party will obtain another two ministerial posts, including that of the Religious Affairs Ministry it has coveted.

The Likud party emerged as the largest party in the 120-seat parliament after gaining 30 seats in the elections. Netanyahu was designated by Israeli President Rivlin to form a new cabinet after being recommended by more than 60 parliamentarians.

Likud has already managed to sign coalition agreements with the center Kulano party, headed by former Likud member Moshe Kahlon, and United Torah Judaism, another ultra-Orthodox party.

Netanyahu must present his new government by Wednesday to the parliament (Knesset). His party is now trying to finalize an agreement with the Jewish Home party in order to muster support of at least 61 parliamentarians.

The Jewish Home party's support is key to Netanyahu after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced earlier Monday that his Israel Beytenu party will not join the next government.

Lieberman will resign his post and remain a Knesset member serving in the opposition.

Without Lieberman, Netanyahu has to settle for a right-wing coalition with a narrow two-thirds majority of seats in the parliament, if he is able to reach a deal with the Jewish Home. With Lieberman, Netanyahu would have enjoyed a more stable coalition backed by 67 lawmakers.

Following Lieberman's resignation, Bennett may resume his efforts to acquire the Foreign Affairs portfolio, which is also coveted by a number of Likud members, the Ha'aretz daily reported. Endit