Top economists could decide fate of Livni's coalition bid

Braverman: "Expanding the budget is what the doctor would prescribe."

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
livni sultry head on hands 224 88 ap (photo credit: AP)
livni sultry head on hands 224 88 ap
(photo credit: AP)
Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Labor chairman Ehud Barak have tried using politicians, lawyers and lobbyists to bridge the wide gaps between their two parties in ongoing coalition talks. After all of them failed, Livni and Barak decided, when they met at her Tel Aviv home on Wednesday night, to send in the economists. Barak and Livni's offices worked hard Thursday to assemble a team of top-notch economists for what is being billed as an economic summit on Sunday at the Foreign Ministry. Barak requested the session to prove to Livni that expanding the framework of the budget would not harm the economy. Livni and Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On spoke about the matter Thursday with Labor MK Avishay Braverman, who heads the Knesset Finance Committee. Braverman expressed confidence that Labor could convince Kadima to compromise. "Expanding the budget is what the doctor would prescribe," Braverman said following his talks with Livni and Bar-On. "I am in favor of a government led by Livni that will govern for two more years, but the next two years must be handled differently than the previous two, because of the international economic crisis and security issues," he said. "I hope a compromise can be found because the public wants a government, but not one that will stagnate and not face challenges. We need a government that makes changes, because if we sit and do nothing, the public will not forgive us." Livni met last week with Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer, who reportedly urged her to stand fast on the budget and not give into Labor's demands. Fischer is expected to attend Sunday's event. Talks also continued on Thursday between Livni's representative, former cabinet secretary Yisrael Maimon, and former coalition chairman Efi Oshaya of Labor. The coalition negotiating teams of Kadima and Shas also met Thursday, but did not report any progress in talks over how to help low-income families without raising child allowances. Progress was made earlier in the week in coalition talks with Meretz. Meretz MK Zehava Gal-On said Livni agreed with her about the need to freeze settlement construction, but that Livni would not agree to Meretz's request to fire Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann.