According to media reports, Tzipi Livni on Tuesday 13 Kislev 5773 is expected to announce she return to the political arena, competing in the upcoming general election in a new party. Most reports signal that party will include former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert but there is disagreement on this point since Olmert’s intentions have not yet been declared by the former prime minister.

Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich is trying to persuade Livni to abandon the idea of a new party, pressuring her to join Labor. According to Yediot Achronot, Yacimovich is willing to use a special clause in the party’s charter permitting the party leader to secure a slot somewhere in the top ten for a candidate, in this case Livni.

Yediot states Livni is offered the guaranteed second slot, and if Labor is successful and builds the next coalition, Livni would serve as foreign minister and head “all negotiations” handled by the new government.

If she opts to run in a new party, polls show Livni will not earn more than 10 seats. Nevertheless, Livni now feels that the disappointment of the public at large surrounding Operation Pillar of Defense will add to her popularity among voters.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)