In a surprise move on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced to the nation that following the election of a new Kadima Party leader he will step down. The party’s election date is set for Sept. 17th. Mr. Olmert explained that he will not be seeking reelection, and as such, he will not be running in the primary race. If a run-off race is required, it will be held on Sept. 24th. It should be remembered the candidate who will be chosen to assemble the new government has 42 days, during which Olmert may remain in office. If the candidate is unsuccessful in establishing a government, then Olmert will head a transition government until the next general election, another 90 days in office.

It is important to understand that Olmert wears two hats, party leader and prime minister. That means following the party’s leadership race, he is not compelled to step down and continues functioning as prime minister. If Olmert does indeed resign, then legally, the entire government has resigned as well. There is not a vacuum however since the ministers and the prime minister continues functioning as a transition body until the next government is established or until following elections. If the candidate cannot establish a government, elections are held 90 days from the date of the announcement.

The bottom line is that he remains in his post until a new prime minister is elected, even if he is indicted in one of the cases against him.

Undoubtedly, Olmert’s announcement will send the contenders for the Kadima leadership into high gear. While there are a number of Kadima officials running for the leadership position, the only true contenders appear to be Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who maintains her lead on Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz.

Olmert explained that the public welfare is of higher priority than his own personal situation and therefore, he decided to step down, adding he will accept the outcome of the leadership race, whatever they may be. He announced he will be leaving “his place of work,” stepping down to defend his name and seek justice.

Olmert carefully boasted his accomplishments in what in essence were his parting words. He stated boldly that he is not just some thief, but has many significant accomplishments. He also made mention that during his political career there were mistakes, but playing the underdog, he stated as prime minister, he was not given the basic right of “presumption of innocence” and added that he has been under attack since his first day in office.

Interestingly, the announcement came while Livni, Mofaz and Labor leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak were in Washington.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)