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An election for the leadership of Kadima was held on 17 September 2008 as a concession to Kadima's coalition partner, Labour, which had threatened to bring down the government if Prime Minister Ehud Olmert didn't stand aside following police investigations into alleged corruption during his terms as minister and as mayor of Jerusalem.
As Kadima remains the largest party in the Knesset and the coalition, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the designated new leader after balloting, had the chance to form a government without a need for elections. Had she become successful, she would have become the next Prime Minister, and the first woman to hold that position since Golda Meir in 1974.[1]
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Candidates
Announced candidates were Livni, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz and Minister of the Interior Meir Sheetrit.[2][3] Current leader and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was considered unlikely to run due to public pressure under many ongoing corruption investigations, and stated in an announcement on 30 July 2008 that he would indeed resign once his party had chosen his successor as party leader.[4] Nominations closed on 24 August 2008.[5] Livni was widely considered to be the frontrunner, and she would likely improve Kadima's prospects in the next elections.[6].
Results
Exit polls released after the poll indicated a double-digit victory for Livni.[7] The actual vote count turned out much closer, amid very low turnout, with Shaul Mofaz coming within a few hundred votes of winning an unexpected victory over Livni.[8] Supporters of Mofaz called for a recount but Mofaz rejected any legal challenge of the declared result and called Livni to congratulate her on her victory, as did Sheetrit and Dichter.[9]
| Candidate | Raw vote count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Tzipi Livni | 16,936 | 43.1% |
| Shaul Mofaz | 16,505 | 42% |
| Meir Sheetrit | 3,327 | 8.5% |
| Avi Dichter | 2,563 | 6.5% |
| Source: BBC News | ||
Aftermath
After Mofaz's loss, he announced that he would be taking a break from politics and leaving the government and Knesset. However, he would remain a member of Kadima.[10] Soon after however, he announced his return and will be vying for the 2nd place in Kadima's Knesset list for the 2009 elections.
After her election, Tzipi Livni failed to form a government, for only the second time in Israeli history. General elections were announced for February 10, 2009.
References
- ^ Tzipi Livni wins Israel's Kadima race Los Angeles Times, September 2008
- ^ In the battle for Kadima, Mofaz to target Livni Haaretz, 26 May 2008
- ^ Israeli Interior Minister announces candidacy for Kadima leadership Xinhua, 20 August 2008
- ^ Israeli PM to quit within months BBC News, 30 July 2008
- ^ Kadima-Partei wählt am 17. September neuen Vorsitzenden Der Standard (German)
- ^ Israel's foreign minister has edge in party race B92, 1 August 2008
- ^ Tim Butcher (2008-09-17). "Israel: Tzipi Livni wins Kadima vote to become new PM". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/2978557/Israel-Tzipi-Livni-wins-Kadima-vote-to-become-new-PM.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-17.
- ^ "Livni to lead Israel ruling party". BBC News. 2008-09-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7620215.stm. Retrieved on 2008-09-18.
- ^ Staff writer (2008-09-18). "Mofaz activists: We'll demand a recount". Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221489065540&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. Retrieved on 2008-09-18.
- ^ Meranda, Amnon (2008-09-18). "Mofaz Says will Take Break from Politics". Ynetnews. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3598934,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-18.
External links
- Kadima Leadership Elections: background, results, and the prospects for peace Institute for Middle East Understanding
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