'Changes coming.' Mofaz (L) with Olmert
צילום: איי אף פי
Mofaz: This isn't the time for general elections
Kadima chairmanship candidate tells supporters 'it is important to maintain governmental stability; State doesn't function during election period'
Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a leading candidate to take over as Kadima chairman in the September primaries, told dozens of his supporters Saturday night "this is not the time to hold general elections; it is important to maintain governmental stability".
Speaking at his Kochav Yair home, Mofaz did not specifically address the corruption investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, but did say "there will be changes in Israel's leadership, probably by the end of the year. The nation does not need general elections, because during the election period the State does not function for several months."
According to the agreement reached last week, the Kadima primaries will be held between September 14-18, and the candidate who wins the vote will be the party's premiership candidate in the next general elections. This arrangement was formulated by MK Tzachi Hanegbi, who heads Kadima's party affairs committee, in conjunction with the party's leadership candidates.
Alluding to the Olmert affair, Mofaz said "incorruptibility is a trait every public official should possess."
Turning his attention to the recent Iranian missile tests, the minister said "the Iranian missile launchings that you saw were partly computer generated, but the danger is real."
