PM: Gov't to vote on Trajtenberg recommendations

Netanyahu reportedly lacks majority in cabinet to pass the socioeconomic report; decision to bring a vote went against coalition partners.

By LAHAV HARKOV, JPOST.COM STAFF
PM Netanyahu with Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg 311 (R) (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
PM Netanyahu with Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg 311 (R)
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting Monday morning that despite opposition to the Trajtenberg Committee for Socioeconomic Change's recommendations, the government will vote on the proposals Monday.
However, it appeared Monday afternoon that the prime minister lacked the votes to pass the recommendations through the cabinet, Army Radio reported.
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Trajtenberg and fiscal responsibilityNetanyahu called Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is in the Ukraine, in an attempt to convince him to support the measure. Lieberman, however, refused the prime minister's request, Army Radio reported.Netanyahu was also reportedly inviting a series of ministers for one-on-one meetings in an attempt to convince them to support the Trajtenberg report.
The prime minister told Likud ministers that the session on Monday will encompass only the basic elements of the committee's recommendations. At a later stage, he said, details and individual clauses will be examined, formed into legislation and voted upon, Army Radio reported.
On Sunday Israel Beiteinu objected and announced it had managed to secure a delay to the vote on the recommendations, arguing that ministers need more time to fully review the committee's findings.
Earlier Sunday, Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov asked Netanyahu to postpone Monday's government meeting on the Trajtenberg Committee report.
"In the name of Israel Beiteinu and its five ministers, I am notifying you of our firm opposition to a discussion of the Trajtenberg Committee's recommendations at the coming government meeting," Meseznikov wrote.
The report, released last Monday, lists the findings of a committee headed by Professor Manuel Trajtenberg, who was appointed by Netanyahu to recommend socioeconomic reforms following this summer's protests.
"It is unthinkable from a professional and practical standpoint to discuss and adopt recommendations from such an important report with no time to prepare," the Tourism Minister explained.
Meseznikov wrote that the report was released right before Rosh Hashana, making it difficult for ministers to properly prepare for the government meeting.
 
"I am sure that you also think that it would take a bit longer than a day and a half of studying the report in order to decide on the future socioeconomic policies of the State of Israel, which will influence the fate of so many families in Israel," he added.
 
Meanwhile, the Trajtenberg plans to attend a meeting of the Knesset Finance Committee on Tuesday, during which his recommendations will be reviewed.