Peres tasks Livni with forming government
President chooses newly-elected Kadima chairwoman as nominee he believes is most able to establish solid coalition. Speaking in Jerusalem after formally accepting the appointment, Livni calls for unity government, reaches out to Likud's Netanyahu
President Shimon Peres has chosen Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni to form the new government. Peres telephoned the newly-elected Kadima chairwoman on Monday evening – and she later arrived at his
Jerusalem residence to accept the appointment in person.
"I agree to take upon myself the role of forming a government," Livni said, adding that it was a task she would approach solemnly. Earlier in the evening Peres called Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to inform her of his decision.
"I believe that Israel needs stability, and a guiding hand," Livni said in a televised address alongside Peres.
"The first and right choice for Israel is a stable government that will serve until the end of the current Knesset's term," said Livni, calling on Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu to joint a unity government under her.
Shaking hands with Peres (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
"For too long, the system has shifted indecisively between seeking change through general elections and change brought on by the replacement of a prime minister through a democratic process. The decision on this matter has been made. Several months ago the Knesset voted, following an initiative put forward by the Labor party, the ranking coalition partner in the government, not to go to a general election but rather to agree on a process of replacing the prime minister by electing a new chairman for Kadima.
"That process came to an end several days ago with my election as party chairwoman, and the party's candidate for the premiership. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tendered his resignation yesterday, as we announced he would beforehand. The prime minister has conducted himself in an honorable and statesmanlike fashion, and there can be no doubt that doing so could not have been simple for any man. And we all thank him."
"I have every confidence in my ability to lead the State of Israel, with the full, honest and genuine cooperation of all the parties invited to join the coalition – for the sake of the State of Israel and its citizens. Thank you," she said in closing.
In less than a month
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived at Peres' residence on Sunday evening in order to submit his resignation just 33 months after taking office.
Peres told reporters shortly after receiving the letter that he "appreciates the special way in which Olmert decided to transfer power. It was not an easy decision to make and I know this is a difficult evening for him.
Livni will have 28 days to successfully form a government. The president has the power to grant her an extension of 14 days. Should she fail to complete the mission by that time, the president is authorized to order a different MK to form a coalition within an additional 28 days. Should the second MK fail to do so, the general elections will be moved up and will be held within 90 days.
On Sunday evening, the president met with Labor faction members, who recommended Defense Minister Ehud Barak as the most suitable person to form the next government, although he is not a Knesset
member. According to the law, only an MK can serve as prime minister. Labor MK Eitan Cabel expressed his hope that the legal obstacle would be resolved.
Barak met with Livni on Sunday evening, and sources close to the Kadima chairwoman expressed their cautious optimism that progress could be made in the coalition talks with the Labor Party.
Likud representatives also arrived at the President's Residence on Sunday evening, and told Peres that Netanyahu was the suitable candidate, while Shas members told the president that they would not recommend anyone.
