It now appears that the three of the Kadima ministers vying for the party’s top spot are in agreement with party leader Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, backing Olmert’s request to push off the party primary election until state witness Moshe Talansky is cross examined by Olmert’s attorneys.

Shaul Mofaz, Meir Sheetrit and Avi Dichter are of the opinion that the primaries needn’t be rushed just yet. Maintaining the minority opinion is Foreign Ministry Tzipi Livni, who feels the party must hold the leadership race as soon as possible to ensure Kadima is prepared for any eventuality.

This being the case, it now appears that Labor will support next Wednesday’s vote for dissolving the current Knesset, a move that will compel early elections. Labor prefers that Kadima appoint a new leader, someone from within the party to replace Olmert, but since it appears Kadima is unwilling to do so, Labor has no alternative if the party wishes to maintain a modicum of electoral integrity.

Labor leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak prefers the current government remain in office with a new prime minister, well-aware that according to polls, he is unlikely to find himself in a senior cabinet post in the next government following elections.

In an effort to maintain an air of legitimacy, Olmert has stated that while he is not in favor of primaries at present, he will not act to postpone them if that is what the party decides.

Olmert is scheduled to meet with party official Tzachi Hanegbi on Tuesday, at which time Hanegbi is expected to act on the new initiative, to push off primaries until the Talansky cross examination is completed.

Hanegbi is expected to comply with Olmert’s request and postpone the planned meeting on Wednesday as which time the party was to decide on a date for primaries. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)