[Mb-civic] CBC News - SHARON TO LEAVE LIKUD AS LABOUR QUITS GOVERNING COALITION

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SHARON TO LEAVE LIKUD AS LABOUR QUITS GOVERNING COALITION 
WebPosted Sun Nov 20 13:35:00 2005

---Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has decided to leave the Likud
Party, reports from Israel say.

The reports came just hours after the Labour Party decided to leave the
coalition with Likud, probably leading to a national election on March
28.

Both departures were expected.

Sharon is expected to set up a new party after Likud split over his plan
to withdraw Israeli soldiers and settlers from Gaza.

Right-wingers in Likud were angry at the plan, now completed.

Sharon, who helped found the party, will campaign to advance the peace
process with the Palestinians, Reuters reported.

Peretz wanted end of coalition

The Labour move was expected as Labour's new leader, Amir Peretz, had
made it clear that was his plan.

FROM NOV. 10, 2005: New Israeli Labour leader wants early elections

"The ability of the Labour Party to become an alternative to the rulers
can be fulfilled only if we return to ourselves," he said after winning
the party leadership on Nov. 10.

Labour decided to end the coalition in a show-of-hands vote at a party
convention on Sunday.

Likud holds 40 of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset,
and Labour has 21. Many smaller parties hold the remaining seats.

Likud and Labour representatives have been discussing holding an election
on March 28, eight months before the previously expected date.

A formal announcement is expected Monday.

Labour joined the coalition headed by Sharon last year to ensure the Gaza
withdrawal went ahead.

Israel pulled its soldiers out of Gaza in September.

Peretz emphasizes money issues

Addressing the Labour convention, Peretz said that poverty had worsened
under Sharon, who had humiliated the poor and immigrants.

He said poorer voters should switch to Labour.

"You are not abandoning Likud. Likud has abandoned you."

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