Economy minister threatens to vote against Smotrich’s controversial budget, but it still has votes to pass

Carrie Keller-Lynn is a former political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel

Nir Barkat, minister of economy and industry, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 10, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Nir Barkat, minister of economy and industry, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 10, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Economy Minister Nir Barkat is threatening to vote against the updated 2023 budget when it comes to the cabinet later today, a source in his office tells The Times of Israel.

The 38-member cabinet is still predicted to have enough votes to advance the budget for Knesset certification, even without Barkat and five votes from National Unity, which said it would not support it.

Barkat has previously railed against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s wartime economy plan, saying the Smotrich’s solutions do not help businesses.

Most Popular