Word: olmert
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Israel's new season of political turmoil kicks off on Wednesday when the ruling Kadima party stages a primary to choose a leader to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The beleaguered Olmert is resigning as party chairman after being mired in a quicksand of corruption allegations, but Wednesday's primaries are expected to begin a protracted period of political jockeying in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, as the new Kadima leader seeks to build a governing coalition...
...Olmert's replacement as Kadima chief can take over from him as prime minister only with the endorsement of Kadima's coalition partners - who range from the more dovish Labor Party to a party dedicated to pensioners and another representing the ultra-Orthodox. Without their backing, the Kadima-led government will tumble, and Israel could face new elections by early...
...Olmert earlier vowed to resign if he is indicted, and already his centrist Kadima party is preparing to replace him. A leadership battle is now underway within the party between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz. Livni, who appears to have the edge, is campaigning on her clean record in contrast to Olmert's backroom politicking, while Mofaz, a former defense minister, is playing up his security credentials...
...prime minister's lawyers described the police decision as "meaningless." A statement by Olmert's attorneys said: "We will wait patiently for the decision of the attorney general. Unlike the police, he is aware of the heavy responsibility he holds...
...Olmert is indicted, Israel faces months of political turmoil ahead. His Kadima party will elect a new leader to replace Olmert during the party primaries, which start on Sept. 17. Olmert's successor would then try to form a new coalition government; if he or she fails, Israel will face early elections. According to polls, a fresh election could restore to power the rightwing Likud party, led by ex-Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu...