Kahlon ups ante for entering Netanyahu’s coalition

Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon upped his demands for joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in another round of coalition talks Wednesday, saying he must be given “tools” to help him enact proper economic reforms.

In addition to the Finance Ministry, a post promised to the Kulanu leader by Netanyahu in pre-election statements, Kahlon also reportedly demanded the Housing and Construction and Environmental Protection ministries.

In addition to the ministries, Kahlon asked to take charge of the Planning Committee, the Israel Land Authority and the much coveted – and powerful – Finance Committee, a party official told Channel 2 following the meeting with Netanyahu’s Likud party.

“Kulanu will continue to insist on obtaining the tools necessary to implement reforms to tackle cost-of-living and housing issues,” the official said.

The demands came after remarks made by Kahlon Sunday during a post-election party rally, in which he made no mention of the Finance Committee, leading many to believe he was ready to surrender it to ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, which is also seeking the post.

During the rally, Kahlon said that his coalition demands were critical to fulfilling his campaign promises. “We asked for work tools, not to be ministers or ambassadors. I am not willing to fall into that trap,” Kahlon said, likely referring to Yesh Atid Party leader Yair Lapid, who as finance minister failed to carry out many of the reforms he planned.

Kahlon told activists the party was demanding “the Planning Committee in order to plan apartments, and we requested the Israel Land Authority in order to free up lands for a place to build.”

“Whoever wants us as partners, will have us as partners; whoever wants us to assume responsibility – we are prepared. Just give us the power,” Kahlon said.

Kulanu, formed by former Likud minister Kahlon in 2014, focused its March election campaign on social and economic issues, a central concern for Israeli voters. During his campaign, Kulanu also accused Netanyahu of neglecting low-income Israelis and ignoring Israel’s sky-rocketing housing prices.

Netanyahu has until May 7 to present his coalition to President Reuven Rivlin, with an option to extend talks an additional two weeks.

Kulanu won 10 seats in the March 17 elections, and its support is crucial to the coalition Netanyahu is seeking to build.