President Yitzhak Navon said today, the morning after his inauguration, that he is not interested in having the presidential powers expanded. He referred to proposals by some of his friends, including former Foreign Minister Yigal Allon, to amend the law to make the presidency more than the largely ceremonial office it now is.
“I do not want more authority than I have,” Navon told an Israel Radio reporter in his first interview as President. “I did not take office on condition that I get more powers. I work on the assumption that the existing powers should suffice to carry out what I have in mind.”
Navon said he asked Allon to wait at least a year before he raises the issue of an expanded presidency. The President’s signature is required on all laws passed by the Knesset but is only a formality. Asked if he would refuse to sign a bill of which he did not approve, Navon replied, “If I ever face such a situation I will invite you to interview me.”
Navon and his wife Ofira spent hours shaking hands after the inaugural festivities. About 1500 guests were invited to the reception in the Knesset building but an estimated 3000 well wishers showed up, more than the security guards could cope with. The long lines waiting to greet President and Mrs. Navon and outgoing President Ephraim Katzir and his wife were patient and orderly.
The stars of the show were Navon’s two children, Nira, 5, and Erez, 4, who kept asking their father, “Daddy, are you President yet?” When the Navons move into the Presidential residence after renovations are completed, they will be the first family with young children to occupy the house.
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