Israel's parliamentary speaker Avraham Burg said Wednesday he was mulling a possible challenge to Prime Minister Ehud Barak for leadership of the Labor party if early elections are called.
"Everything depends on the circumstances. I will make a decision based on my chances of achieving power," Burg told Israeli army radio.
There is no love lost between the speaker and Barak, who opposed Burg's appointment to the top parliamentary job soon after he took office in July last year.
"There is a possibility of elections in March 2001 if the prime minister is not able to muster the necessary majority to vote on the budget next year," said the 45-year-old Burg.
But Burg said he would not challenge Barak if he reaches peace deals with Syria and the Palestinians. "If elections are held on that basis, I will give my full support to the prime minister."
Barak on Wednesday faces the possible resignation of Foreign Minister David Levy, angered by what he sees as Israeli concessions to the Palestinians at Camp David, and a preliminary vote on a bill calling for early elections - OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP)
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