Elections apparently set for March 28
Likud, Labor representatives meet; apparently set general elections date for March 28, 2006; final date is to be set following a series of meetings with several factions
Labor and Likud representatives have apparently set the elections date for March 28, 2006.
“It appears that elections will be held on 28 March," Labor Party Faction Chairman Ephraim Sneh said Sunday, following a meeting with Coalition Chairman Gideon Sa'ar in Tel Aviv earlier.
A final date is to be set following a series of meetings with several factions.
The date falls within the framework of the possible dates determined by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Labor Chairman Amir Peretz during their meeting last Thursday.
Saar said following the meeting, “a date for the elections has not been determined; it was made clear that the date will be set after deliberations with all the Knesset factions and after the issue will be brought before the Likud faction.”
Labor's Central Committee is set to convene in Tel Aviv Sunday in order to approve the party's resignation from the government.
The event will also serve as a gathering to mark Amir Peretz's election as Labor leader.
No surprises are expected during the event, except for the question of whether former party chairman Shimon Peres will participate.
Meanwhile, entire nation is waiting for Sharon’s decision on whether to stay in Likud or leave the ruling party in favor of a new party likely to change Israel’s political landscape.
Decisions, decisions
Amid the uncertainties regarding the prime minister's political future, Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz has announced his candidacy for Likud leadership, and senior party sources said Education Minister Limor Livnat also considers herself a candidate for party chairperson.
The two join Ministers Silvan Shalom and Shaul Mofaz and MKs Benjamin Netanyahu and Uzi Landau on the list of candidates; however, should the prime minister decide to remain in Likud, the list would most certainly shrink.
Landau said Sunday, “Should Ariel quit Likud, I will demand an emergency meeting of the Central Committee to hold primary elections for party leadership within days.”
He called on right-wing parties to join a Likud-led government he plans to form if elected.
The prime minister chose to spend the weekend at his residential home, the Sycamore Ranch in the southern Negev desert, far away from his political associates and from the cameras.
Most of Sharon’s close advisors have recommended he leave the Likud brand name behind and set out on a new road. Now, the prime minister is choosing to spend time with his sons, grandchildren, and other close relatives in order to weigh the options before him.
