Coalition has 'serious problems,' finance minister warns

Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon takes aim at Likud MKs whose absence, he says, makes it impossible to pass legislation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s narrow coalition has “serious problems,” Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon warned Thursday night, saying that it was near impossible to pass legislation due to the intransigence of certain Likud MKs.

“There are serious problems in the coalition. We have been unable to pass two controversial laws for two months now, as there is no majority,” Kahlon told an event held by his Kulanu party in Tel Aviv, according to the Calcalist business website. “There are Likud MKs who have not been to vote for two months. The Kulanu party is the most stable part of the coalition.”

He also accused other parties in the government of poor behavior, Calcalist said.

“We are the only sane voice in the government, which does not allow other partners to run riot,” Kahlon said. “The Kulanu party is the sole national, economic and social party in the State of Israel and will run as an independent party in the next elections as well.”

The finance minister expressed his opposition to a two-year state budget advocated by Netanyahu on the grounds that it would make the coalition more stable. Previous governments have collapsed due to disagreements over the allocation of resources in the budget.

“If anyone thinks that a two-yearly state budget will guarantee the stability of the coalition, they are wrong,” Kahlon said. But, he added, he is committed to coalition agreements so that means he must approve the budget.

The finance minister also took aim at a recent hike in salaries for senior officials.

“I am in favor of celebrations, but celebrations that everyone can take part in,” he said. “If there is one person who deserves such a salary, he is abroad — and his name is [Argentine soccer superstar Lionel] Messi.”