Mofaz wants Economics C'tee, shadow budget

Before officially becoming opposition leader, Kadima chair dispels speculation he will join Netanyahu government.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN, JPOST.COM STAFF
Smiling Shaul Mofaz wins Kadima primary 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Smiling Shaul Mofaz wins Kadima primary 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Newly elected Kadima party chairman Shaul Mofaz said he will seek control of the Knesset Economics Committee, speaking to a party faction meeting an hour before officially becoming the opposition leader.
Kadima needs control of the committee, he said, in order "to deal with economic issues [Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu has been unable to handle."
Under his leadership, Mofaz declared, Kadima will present an alternative budget to Netanyahu's. By doing so, he said the party will help advance the socioeconomic protest movement.
The new Kadima chairman also dispelled speculation that he would consider joining the Netanyahu government. "Everything we do is to replace the Netanyahu government," he emphasized, "We are the alternative to the disconnected government."
Kadima under his leadership, he explained, "will be a statesmanlike opposition." The party will support the prime minister when it agrees with him but will oppose him in "everything he does wrong."