Kadima's new leader Livni beats Mofaz by 431 votes. Mofaz advised to demand recount.
Kadima's new leader is Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni who beat her closest rival Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz by a narrow margin of 431 votes. The official announcement ...
Kadima's new leader is Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni who beat her closest rival Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz by a narrow margin of 431 votes. The official announcement was made by Dan Arbel, head of the central electoral commission, early Thursday morning.
Livni captured 43.1 percent of the vote, Mofaz 42 percent, Meir Shetreet 8 percent, and Avi Dichter 6.5 percent. Kol Israel reports that some 53 percent of the eligible Kadima voters went to the polls.
Attorney Yehuda Weinstein, in the Mofaz camp, advised him to ask for a recount. Weinstein said it is undemocratic that a party leader is determined by such a narrow margin.
Livni will have 42 days to form a new ruling coalition. If she succeeds she will become Israel's first female prime minister since Golda Meir. If she fails to form a government, the country will hold elections in early 2009.
Prime Minister Olmert will remain as a caretaker leader until a new coalition is approved by the Knesset.
Livni calls for party unity
Tzipi Livni awaited the primary results at her home in Ramat Hahayil. She appeared before the media Thursday in the early morning hours and told reporters that ...
Tzipi Livni awaited the primary results at her home in Ramat Hahayil. She appeared before the media Thursday in the early morning hours and told reporters that Kadima proved that it represents a different kind of politics. She thanked her supporters and acknowledged the hope that people have in her to lead the party and the country.
She noted her former rivals for the leadership -- Shaul Mofaz, Meir Shetreet, and Avi Dichter -- are now her partners for change and to unify the party and stabilize the country politically and economically.
Livni said she would convene immediately meetings to form a coalition.
Shaul Mofaz announces break from politics, following primaries loss
Cabinet minister Shaul Mofaz, who narrowly lost the Kadima party leadership primary to Tzippi Livni, on Thursday announced he is taking a break from politics to ...
Cabinet minister Shaul Mofaz, who narrowly lost the Kadima party leadership primary to Tzippi Livni, on Thursday announced he is taking a break from politics to think about his next steps. Speaking to supporters in Givatayim, Mofaz said he wants to continue to contribute to society, but he needs time after 42 years of serving the country. Mofaz said he will not seek a position in the new government or Knesset, but will remain a member of Kadima. He said he is a democrat at heart, he accepts the will of the electorate, and he wishes Livni success. Mofaz, who won 42 percent of the vote compared to Livni's 43.1 percent, added that while lawyers advised him to challenge the primary results, he decided that the good of the state comes first.
Kadima Knesset member Otniel Shneller was among the Mofaz supporters who met with him on Thursday. Shneller said afterwards that he came away with the impression that Mofaz is taking some time -- but he is not leaving politics. Cabinet Minister Ruhama Avraham described it as a break to "gather new energy."
Livni, the newly-elected Kadima leader, held separate meetings with two of the other contenders in the primaries -- Avi Dichter and Meir Shetreet. Dichter said afterwards he will speak with Mofaz to understand his decision. A Kol Yisrael reporter says Livni will convene Kadima faction members on Friday and also hoped to meet with Mofaz. Calling on the Kadima party to unit, she is expected to soon begin informal contacts on forming a coalition.
Labor Party leader Ehud Barak congratulated Livni on her primary win. Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, in his call to congratulate Livni, urged her to coordinate a date for early elections as soon as possible. He said he intends to approach other party leaders as well, including Barak of Labor and Eli Yishai of Shas, to discuss the matter.
Reported by Reka Israel
