Olmert is Israel's prime minister
Israel, Politics, 1/6/2006

With the continued drastic health condition of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, on which medical estimates said he will not be able to carry out set official job even he survives his current crisis, the charge de affairs of the Israeli government Ehud Olmert continued to preside over the Israeli government after he had chaired a meeting for the government in which he said that Israel lives difficult conditions but he stressed that "The government works and Israel is still working."

The Israeli law says that in case the prime minister is not able to assume his post, his deputy replace him for 100 days after which the government is desolved and the current President assigns one of the Knesset members to form a new government within two weeks with the possibility of extending this period for two extra weeks.

For his part, the leader of the Likud Bloc Benjamin Netanyahu called on the four representatives of his party in the government to postpone submitting their resignation until next Sunday because of the deteriorated health condition of Sharon.

Meantime, Haaretz reported today that "Some Labor members suggested Thursday that the developments may provide them with the opportunity to return to power. Party leaders refused to comment Thursday on the political implications of Sharon's illness, following Peretz's request that they refrain from speculating and commenting on the prime minister's condition. One MK said, however, that the sad circumstances have created a chance for Labor to return to power."

Haaretz added: "In a week or two, when the time is right ethically, we must call on Labor members who have joined Kadima to come home. Including Peres," he said. "Sharon was not just the leading figure, but the only glue joining Tzachi Hanegbi and Peres. I believe Kadima, even if it survives as a party, has been dealt a severe blow. People joined Kadima because they saw Sharon as a leader. I don't think they saw Olmert or Livni as leaders."

Haaretz reported "Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Peretz on Thursday and briefed him on the prime minister's condition. Peretz said he would help to stabilize the political system to enable Olmert to do his job."

Haaretz reported "A senior Kadima figure said Thursday the party would suffer a huge blow if Shimon Peres were to lead it. Should, heaven forbid, Peres lead Kadima, everything will fall apart immediately," the senior figure said. "We must choose [Ehud] Olmert in no more than a week, rally around him, choose an inner circle of five or six, and erase any signs of internal strife or disputes over places."

Haaretz said "The figure went on to say that if that if Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were to prevent Kadima members Tzachi Hanegbi and Meir Sheetrit, formerly of Likud, and Peres from returning to their former political homes, his chances of being appointed interim prime minister would improve."

Previous Stories:
  Sharon to wake up Sunday, brain damage unknown   (1/6/2006)
  Sharon in critical health condition   (1/5/2006)
  Hoss questions excluding Israel from crime responsibility in Lebanon   (1/4/2006)
  Golan prisoners in Israeli jails situation reviewed   (1/4/2006)

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