It appears that it is only a matter of time until Tzipi Livni steps down or is voted out as party leader, but for now, she remains tenacious in her battle to maintain control of Kadima, the leading opposition party. To her credit, Livni has managed to thwart what last week appeared to be an imminent break-away from the party by many MKs. She bought time at best most political commentators feel.

According to the party’s number two man, MK Shaul Mofaz, “Livni is trying to destroy the party” and he is demanding to set a date in the very near future for party primaries, to permit members to elect a new party leader.

Livni continues to tell party leaders that elections were held to chose a party leader less than a year ago and she remains opposed to setting a date for new elections at present.

Mofaz believes the party should have accepted the recent offer from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to enter the ruling coalition, insisting that Livni’s determination to remain in opposition is bad for the nation and the party.

Livni is working to maintain control, albeit with waning popularity, but it currently appears she is not about to bow out of the picture [voluntarily] under the growing popularity of Shaul Mofaz.

Joining in to support Mofaz’s bid, senior official MK Avi Dichter, a former party minister, stated primary elections must be held in 2010.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)