Kahlon says he can’t remain finance minister if budget not passed

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon says if the 2019 state budget does not pass by next week, he cannot remain treasurer.

“If the budget does not pass by the end of the session, I have lost my mandate from the voters. Therefore, I don’t see how I can continue to be finance minister,” says the coalition Kulanu party leader.

He expresses hope that the coalition partners will reach a compromise on the Haredi draft bill and avoid early elections. The ultra-Orthodox parties have vowed to oppose the budget unless their legislation granting military service exemptions to Haredi students goes ahead.

The 2019 state budget can technically be passed until the end of the year, but Kahlon — and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — have been adamant that it should be passed earlier, before a spring recess beginning in mid-March.

— Marissa Newman