Israeli News: A Daily Analysis

A Daily Analysis

By Marc Schulman

October 23, 2008- Livni to Call For New Elecitons on Sunday

Tzipi Livni warned today that if she did not have a coalition agreement in place by Sunday she would ask President Peres to call for new elections. At the moment, coalition negotiations are stalled. Livni stated she still prefers reaching a coalition agreement, even if it costs money, since elections are expensive. She stated, however, there was a limit to what she was willing to pay. Israeli political observers now believe it is very unlikely Livni will have a coalition in place by Sunday.

The worst part of this scenario, besides the waste of time and money on new elections, is that in the meantime Olmert remains Prime Minister, (a situation that will continue unless Mazuz moves to indict him.) Under the current circumstances, Olmert could remain Prime Minister for another four months.