Israeli government question

[JoDog]

If the current corruption scandal takes down PM Olmert, who will lead the government until new elections can be held?

[LeftishBrit]

1. The Israelis here will know more than I do...

but I get the impression that it's most likely to be Tsipi Livni.

The real question is who would win the election; and I have some pretty scary thoughts about that!

[JoDog]

2. Bibi Netanayhu?

That seems to be the name popping up among the dual citizens I know. He is a heavy hawk, who was the Likud party's candidate to Prime Minister in 2007.

If I was conspiracy theorist, I'd see a purpose to going after Olmert now in order to put Netanayhu in a position to launch a strike on Iran.

[Vegasaurus]

3. Ongoing terrorism has brought great support to Israeli hawks

Even moderates have had enough.

[LeftishBrit]

6. True enough. (I always say that every kassam is a donation to the Netanyahu campaign)

but ongoing settlement building, etc. has also brought great support to Palestinian hawks.

It's a vicious circle there.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Ugh, that's whom I was thinking of too!

He's a former PM; not just a former candidate.


'If I was conspiracy theorist, I'd see a purpose to going after Olmert now in order to put Netanayhu in a position to launch a strike on Iran.'

While I'm sure that Likud welcome the disgrace of a rival, I don't in fact think there needs to be a conspiracy: Olmert is quite capable of ruining himself single-handed by being an idiot and a crook. In fact, if not for the ILP being reluctant to hand Israel to Netanyahu, Olmert might well have been brought down long ago.

[JoDog]

8. Indeed, no conspiracy is needed

when the people involved choose to be fools.

[eyl]

4. Livni is the Acting PM

so presumably she'll take over if Olmert steps down (assuming he actually declares himself or is declared incapable of carrying out his duties. If he just resigns or loses a no-confidence vote, he'll remain in charge until the elections)

[JoDog]

7. Thank you for the info.

This is just something I started thinking about last night. Considering all the renewed tension in the region, the person at the top has ever increased significance.