Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 24, 2008

Early Elections Likely in Israel After Coalition Talks Flop
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1EEB305:A6F02AD83191E1601F15566E0E74241F2A201403E89ED254&
 
Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni threatens early elections if
coalition government is not formed by Sunday 
There is political turmoil in Israel after negotiations on forming a new
government collapsed. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in
Jerusalem. Tzipi Livni, 5 Oct., 2008The ultra-Orthodox Shas party has
decided not to join a government led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni,
who is hoping to become Israel's first woman prime minister in more than
30 years. Shas leader Eli Yishai said coalition talks collapsed. Yishai
told Israel Radio that Livni failed to meet two key demands: first, not
to negotiate with the Palestinians on the future of Jerusalem, and
second, to provide $26 million in welfare benefits for big religious
families. Shas's decision came a day after Livni issued an ultimatum.
Livni said that if she did not have a new coalition government by Sunday
she would call early elections. With two days to go before the deadline,
both sides could be engaging in brinkmanship. Officials in Livni's
Kadima party and in Shas say there is still a chance for a deal. If
there are early elections, they would probably take place in March of
next year. Livni would face off with hawkish opposition leader and
former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Battle lines are already being
drawn. Netanyahu opposes Livni's plan for the creation of a Palestinian
state and compromise on Jerusalem. 


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