Post-Olmert options - New Kadima PM or early elections

 Printer-friendly version

By Stan Goodenough
May 29, 2008

In the event Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is forced to step down as a result of the scandal boiling around him, Israel's political landscape could change in one of two possible ways.

Either Olmert's ruling Kadima Party would hold primaries for a new leader who would be made the new prime minister, and the current government would continue in power until scheduled elections in 2010.

Or, the government could be dissolved and the country go to the polls for early elections, which would reportedly take place in November this year or within a few months of that time.

Israeli pundits Thursday appeared to be anticipating the second scenario.

Ynetnews reports Labor Party ministers believe "momentum is building for national elections."

"A source in the Labor faction told Ynet [Wednesday] that if a new government is not formed within two months, his party will work towards pushing up the elections."

And according to another report, "Ynet has learned that senior members of the various political parties have met, trying to agree on an election date, most likely in November."

A spokesperson for the Shas Party, an "ultra-orthodox" coalition member, said the party "believes we will have an election in November and is preparing for it."

In a statement the official opposition Likud Party, whose leader Benjamin Netanyahu has long led the polls as Israel's most probable next prime minister, denounced what it called "political maneuverings."

"The great challenges this country faces demand we establish a new, strong government [and we call] on all the House factions, from both the Right and the Left, to set a date for the dispersal of the Knesset and new elections."

Related Articles:

• Race for new Israeli PM underway
• Gilad's father: Where's my son?
• Olmert government set to self-destruct?
• Crises threaten to sink Israeli government
• Olmert's days as PM now numbered

Support us!
Buy Israeli products

	Tekuma - Story of Israel's Rebirth $58.47 - 55% OFF! DVD box set outlining the miracle of the State of Israel
	Body Care Set $14.95 - 70% OFF! Dead Sea creams nourish and protect
	Medium Shofar $39.95 - 28% OFF! Classical ram's horn shofar

Sponsors: