Sharon forced to call early elections

Israel’s president announced today that he has agreed to a request by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to hold early elections, and that the vote would be held at the beginning of February.

Sharon told President Moshe Katsav that early elections are inevitable because he is unable to restore the parliamentary majority he lost last week, when the moderate Labour Party bolted.

As part of political protocol, Sharon has to inform the president of intentions to call early elections before making the announcement.

The Sharon-Katsav meeting came after the prime minister was rebuffed by the far-right National Union-Israel Beitenu faction whose support he needs to restore his parliamentary majority.

The faction had demanded that Sharon give assurances that it would be included in a ruling coalition after elections as well, said its chairman, Avigdor Lieberman.

Referring to Sharon, Lieberman said: ”Why are you afraid to say that after the elections, we will form a nationalist (right-wing) government. Do you want to just use us, like gum that you can use and throw away?”

Sharon had said only yesterday that it would be irresponsible to go to early elections, but also insisted he would not change government guidelines to accommodate demands by the National Union.

After the departure of Labour because of a dispute over funding for Jewish settlements, Sharon was left with the support of only 55 MPs in the 120 member parliament. The National Union has seven MPs.