Jerusalem, July 15: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Monday but legislators from his Labour Party coalition partner dealt him a moral blow by voting against him.
Under Israeli law, the government must be dissolved if 61 legislators vote in favour of a no-confidence motion. The motion against Olmert was defeated by 47 votes to 42.
The result sparked speculation whether Olmert, under investigation for fraud, would carry out his threat to dismiss Labour ministers who voted for the no-confidence motion.
An Olmert spokesman told reporters in Paris, where the Israeli prime minister attended France's annual Bastille Day military parade, that Olmert did not intend to fire Labour ministers who voted against the government.
Such a step would leave him without a legislative majority and open the door to an early election. Olmert is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes from an American Jewish businessman. On Friday, Israeli police officers said they were widening the probe to look at whether he made duplicate claims for travel expenses.
The veteran politician denies the allegations but has said he would step down if indicted. His Kadima party is to hold an internal vote in September that could replace him.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment