Main Party in Israeli Coalition Set to Choose Leader
The New York Times reported today on the primary being held in Israel to select a new leader of the Kadima party, the largest in the country’s governing coalition. Front runner is foreign minister and lawyer, Tzipi Livni. If she wins the necessary 40% of the vote and can form a government within a month, she will take current prime minister Ehud Olmert’s office and become the first woman since Golda Meir to hold the position.
Polls have indicated that Livni is a popular candidate and a hope for the future of Israel and the Kadima party. She has already vocalized a few of her goals once elected prime minister, mainly that she will focus party efforts on peace talks with the Palestinians. Livni’s main challenger is Iranian-born former chief of staff and defense minister, Shaul Mofaz. It is said that ethnicity and class are now playing a huge role in the selection process. Israelis of Middle Eastern origin seem to be favoring Mofaz while those of European origin seem to support Livni.
Though Olmert has decided to step down from his post after allegations of corruption, he plans on continuing his peace efforts until a new coalition has been picked. He and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met again yesterday, however the Palestinians say there are still many gaps and a peace agreement will probably not be reached by the end of this year.
If polls were to be taken this week, they would reveal that the Likud party run by Benjamin Netyahu would win in a general election over candidates Mofaz or Livni. Though Livni is a popular candidate within the Kadima party, it will be difficult for her to gain support from the Shas party, since they will not support “negotiations on the status of Jerusalem” and Livni is pushing for peace talks and an early agreement if she is elected.
Roopa Radhakrishnan
