MKs slam approval of 'Peres bill'
Knesset members from Left and Right say will vote against bill that would enable open presidential ballot
Knesset members from the Left and Right criticized Sunday a government committee's approval of a bill that would enable an open presidential ballot.
The ministerial committee for legislative affairs authorized the 'Peres Bill', which stipulates that the Knesset vote for president will be done in an open ballot instead of the customary secret ballot.
The bill is waiting to be authorized by the Knesset.
MK Effie Eitam (National Union-NRP) said, "The government is sending a terrible message to the citizens, that every law can be changed according to political interests."
"I will submit a bill Monday that will stipulate that all changes in the election process for officials will take effect only in the term after the next. I will use this law to stop the Peres Bill and the dangerous and corrupting phenomenon it represents," he added.
Likud Faction Chairman MK Gideon Sa'ar cynically responded to the committee's decision: "It is lucky that the Olmert government is making do with such a modest amendment of the law, while it could have been stipulated in the law that Shimon Peres would be the next president of the State of Israel."
"In addition, there is no reason not to crush the principle of secrecy even in other personal elections that the Knesset holds, such as for the state comptroller and the Knesset representatives in the committee for appointing judges," Sa'ar said.
Height of cynicism
There are also many left-wing politicians who oppose the bill. Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin said: "It’s a big mistake that paves the way for turning the presidential vote into coalitional bargaining."His Meretz colleague, MK Chaim Oron added, "I oppose every single decision that establishes the rules of the game whose results are obvious. There is great doubt as to whether an open ballot in the presidential elections that rests on a political deal is cleaner than a secret ballot. The rules need to be left as they are at the current moment, even if they aren't convenient for some of the candidates."
MK Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) said that this is an invalid decision. "The laws of the State of Israel aren't game pieces in the hands of Olmert and Kadima's interests," said Yacimovich.
"Changing the law for the sake of political quarrels, and for one person is the height of cynicism. The Knesset must block Olmert's prerogative," added Yacimovich.
It turns out that there is also opposition to the bill from within the prime minister's party, but for different reasons.
MK Amir Dotan said, "I praise MK Yoel Hasson's initiative, but at the same time, such legislation is not meant to be sewn to fit a certain person, but the overall issue. My great esteem for a personality like Peres has taught me that he doesn't need such a law in order to be elected president. This bill only damages his strong public standing and his many virtues."
MK Yoel Hasson: I will ensure a majority
MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima), initiator of the Peres Bill, said, "The ministerial committee for legislative affairs' approval of the bill will create positive momentum for passing it in the Knesset."
"I plan to meet with the heads of the Knesset parties as soon as possible and act towards getting a majority for the bill in a few weeks," he said.
Minister Meir Sheetrit (Likud), who voted against the bill, said, "There is a possibility that the bill itself won't pass. In such a case, the situation will be perceived as another failure for Shimon Peres, and not a failure of the law."
On a personal level, Sheetrit believes that Peres is the most worthy candidate for the presidency, but he is opposed in principle to changing the patterns of voting.
