Labor ministers: Olmert must go

Labor chairman, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, received the full backing of his party's cabinet ministers on Thursday morning, less than a day after he called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to step down from office following the rattling deposition of Morris Talansky.

Though Barak publically voiced his support for taking measures to stabilize the coalition by having Kadima elect a successor to Olmert from within, the ministers believe the momentum is building for national elections.

Senior sources in Kadima said Wednesday that the Olmert, keenly aware of the political crisis at hand, is giving seriously consideration to the possibility of resigning.

Several Kadima members have already begun preparing for primaries, which could take place as early as September.

Ynet has learned that senior members of the various political parties have already begun considering possible dates for a national election, most likely sometime in November.

Labor files to disperse Knesset

A source in the Labor faction told Ynet following Barak's press conference that if a new government is not formed within two months, his party will work towards pushing up the elections.

The source said that the timetable Barak intends to work by is limited by the current Knesset term.

Labor Knesset members later filed a bill proposal to disperse the 17th Knesset. The bill was authored by

MKs Ophir Pines, Eitan Cabel, Shelly Yacimovich and Danny Yatom.

The proposal was coordinated with Labor Chairman Barak. A number of similar proposals have been filed by various MKs in the past, but can only be voted on when such a motion is deemed viable.

In a statement issued following the press conference, the Likud party wrote, "Enough of these political maneuverings. The great challenges this country faces demand we establish a new, strong government.

"The Likud calls 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."