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Olmert announces will not run in primaries and quit once new Kadima leader is chosen

by korzac | July 30, 2008 at 10:01 am

212 views | 6 Recommendations | 8 comments

Now, Israel time 20.15 , Israeli PM Ehud Olmert announce 30 minute ago, on prime time on channel 10, that he will not run in Kadima primaries.The meaning is that PM Olmert bring to an end his political carrier.He opens the political arena to a reshaping of the political situation in Israel.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday that he has decided not to contend in the Kadima primary election and would resign as soon as the new party leader was chosen, due to the criminal investigations that have embroiled him in recent months.

"I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections," Olmert said in an official statement to the public from his official residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.

"When a new [Kadima party] chairman is chosen, I will resign as prime minister to permit them to put together a new government swiftly and effectively," he added.

Political sources had expected Olmert to announce that he would not run in upcoming leadership contest in his Kadima party, scheduled for September 17. This decision in effect signals an end to Olmert's political career.

Two most prominent leaders, president Bush am PM Olmert will leave the fate of the Middle East to their possible successors Barack Obama or McCain, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, or Shaul Mofaz former defence minister. ... What has Al Jazeera to say:

...."Al Jazeera's Rowland said that the talks with the Palestinians, as well as the indirect negotiation with Syria being mediated by Turkey, were "much bigger than the individual man of Ehud Olmert"... ..."But obviously in terms of seeing Olmert himself do anything dynamic or far reaching in terms of the international scene the clock is now ticking."... .."Washington responded to Olmert's announcement by saying it was prepared to work with any Israeli leader.'... ..."We are going to look forward to working with all responsible Israeli leaders in the government, whether it is this government or future governments," Sean McCormack, US state department spokesman, said,"... see here.

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tikun

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:02 on July 30th, 2008

korzac, I like this story. It's good stuff.

korzac

at 11:06 on July 30th, 2008

tikun,thanks for the GS.

René

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:02 on July 30th, 2008

Oh. He's waiting. How long till these elections take place?

korzac

at 11:29 on July 30th, 2008

If after the primaries in Kadima (after the September 17 poll) the elected candidate, Livni or Mofaz, will not succeed to forge a coalition government, because it's complicated in the today Israeli Parliament, then Olmert will continue to be prime minister, until new election end 2008 or beginning 2009.

Rene,thanks for the GS.

Amy Judd

at 11:25 on July 30th, 2008

See some additional NP coverage here.

korzac

at 11:59 on July 30th, 2008

Thanks amyjudd. My coverage of PM Olmert declaration was made in real time, your 02:01 pm Vancouver time. Orenrosenfeld's coverage was made two hours earlier when it was not clear what PM Olmer will say. So my report remove the speculations... and as always in such a situation we already speculate as to the next moves.