While she did not receive widespread support, Kadima leader Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is expected to receive the presidential mandate to attempt to form the next coalition.

Sunday was a day of political drama in Jerusalem, with the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the evening, followed by a marathon of meetings between party leaders and President Shimon Peres. The president met with delegations from Kadima, Likud, Labor and Shas.

Despite Livni being the most likely candidate, the premier-designate only managed to obtain the signatures of 40 MKs who are willing to recommend she form the next coalition. Nevertheless, the president may bestow the coalition responsibilities upon her, even without a majority of support. That said, opposition MKs on Sunday already announced that from their perspective, attempting to form a new coalition without elections is “not legitimate”.

Labor called for giving the mandate to its party leader, Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Interestingly, Mr. Barak is not a MK and therefore, he is not entitled to receive the presidential mandate. Attorney David Libai, a former justice minister, told the president that a law can be pushed through within 24 hours that would accommodate Barak’s special situation, explaining his not being a member of Knesset is a technicality, nothing more.

While Barak has been publicly calling for an emergency coalition government, when push comes to shove, he is expected to support a Livni-led coalition since he is aware elections would most likely result in the Labor Party losing many of its current Knesset mandates.

Another blow to Livni came from Shas, with party leaders informing the president they do not plan to recommend Livni to form the next government. Shas leader Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai has announced on numerous occasions that he will not join a government that does not openly declare Yerushalayim is off the negotiating table with the PA (Palestinian Authority) and that does not support Shas’ demand for the return of increased monthly child allowance payments.

Opposition parties including Likud, NRP, Yisrael Beitenu, National Union and UTJ have already signaled to the president and/or the media that they prefer elections.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)