Mofaz mulling choice of economics c'tee chairman

Both MKs Sheetrit and Avraham- Balila expressed certainty that Mofaz would appoint them to lead the key committee.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Mofaz speaks at Knesset 370 (photo credit: Knesset Spokesman)
Mofaz speaks at Knesset 370
(photo credit: Knesset Spokesman)
Rumors flew about the next chairman of the Knesset Economics Committee at a Kadima pre-Passover toast on Wednesday.
Newly elected party leader Shaul Mofaz announced earlier this week that Kadima would give up chairmanship of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in exchange for the traditionally opposition-led Economics Committee.
Both MKs Meir Sheetrit (Kadima) and Ruchama Avraham- Balila (Kadima) expressed certainty that Mofaz would appoint them to lead the key committee.
However, a Mofaz spokesman said at the event in Ramat Gan that he had yet to choose a chairman, and MKs continued to speculate.
“It could go either way,” MK Yohanan Plesner (Kadima) said. “All I know is that it won’t be me.”
However, another MK said Plesner is a dark-horse candidate for the job.
Meanwhile, MKs in former party leader Tzipi Livni’s camp denied rumors that they would find their own candidate for the role and bring about the first major post-primary rift in Kadima.
MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima), working hard only one day after his wedding, said “I heard people saying we’re doing that – but we aren’t.”
MK Nino Abesadze made another point against the rumor, saying she is unable to think of a candidate outside of the Mofaz camp.