For how long will Olmert lead transit government?
Photo: AFP
Olmert says hopes for new government 'fast'
At start of first cabinet meeting after elections, prime minister says transit government to act 'as required by new political reality'
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
expressed his hope Sunday morning that a new government would be formed as soon as possible, "in light of the challenged faced by Israel."
"I believe this is the natural and called for thing to do," he added.
Speaking at the start of the first cabinet meeting after the Knesset elections, Olmert announced that from now on the transit government would act "as required by the new political reality".
Political Arena
Attila Somfalvi
Netanyahu says willing to include Kadima in unity government under his leadership, berates Livni for 'putting petty politics before the country's interests'
The Likud and Kadima parties are preparing for a week of fervent talks ahead of the president decision whom to task with forming the new government.
Likud officials on Saturday night increased their pressure on Kadima. "(Likud Chairman Benjamin) Netanyahu will be willing to accommodate Kadima in order to include it in a unity government led by him, but first (Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi) Livni must set petty politics aside and place the country's interests first," one of them said.
On the backdrop of the political tangle, the Kadima faction will meet Sunday afternoon for its first meeting since the elections. Its members are expected to discuss the political situation and the possibility of sitting in the opposition, but will not vote on the issue.
In the meantime, it appears that most Kadima faction members support Livni's stance that the party should not be part of a coalition led by Netanyahu.
