Candidates' headquarters squabble over final results as clear-cut victory predicted by exit polls decreases to mere 1% advantage over rival Mofaz. Both camps gear for expected legal battle
Attila Somfalvi
Latest Update: | 09.18.08, 08:07 / Israel News |
The exit polls may have awarded Tzipi Livni with a clear-cut victory over rival Shaul Mofaz in the Kadima primary elections – but the picture seemed quite different after midnight Thursday as both camps geared for an unforeseen twist in the results.
According to the final results, Livni defeated rival Mofaz by a narrow margin of 1.1% of the vote. According to the final results released by Kadima, Livni won the election with 43.1% (16,936 votes). Mofaz came in a close second with 42% (16,505 votes).
Meir Sheetrit came third with 8.5% (3,327) and fourth was Avi Dichter with 6.5% (2,563). In all only 32,872 registered Kadima members cast their ballot - only 53.7%. Mofaz's camp initially claimed he was leading the foreign affairs minister by 800 votes, but relented as the night progressed that Livni had indeed won. Mofaz later phoned Livni to congratulate her on the victory, but the narrow margin is already being contested, and the transportation minister is likely appeal the results.
His headquarters is also demanding an Ashkelon ballot be disqualified. Mofaz's headquarters surged back to life as news of the final results trickled down, and Mofaz himself is expected to return.
Livni was cautious after the exit poll figures were released. She made no victory speech, choosing instead to settle for brief calls to her staffers in which she told them they had "fought like lions, against many
opportunists and you were simply amazing – the good guys won."
Throughout the day Livni was concerned that a low voter turnout would give the more organized Mofaz camp an advantage. She requested ballots remain open for an additional hour. The Kadima central elections committee granted her an additional half hour, after appeals by Mofaz and Sheetrit were rejected.
Kadima MK Zeev Elkin, a close associate of Mofaz, said the latter's campaign headquarters plans to demand a recount of all ballots in the Kadima primary elections.
Amnon Meranda contributed to the report |
Livni gagnante
18 septembre 2008 - Par JPOST.FR
Selon les premières estimations à la sortie des urnes, Tzpi Livni recueille 49 % des voix face à son principal concurrent, Shaul Mofaz, avec 37 %. Une avance de 12 % qui assure la victoire à la ministre des Affaires étrangères. Tzipi Livni est vraisemblablement le nouveau leader de Kadima.
Les trois grandes chaînes israéliennes donnent des chiffres très comparables. Pour la chaîne 1, Tzipi Livni arrive en tête avec 47.2 % des voix devant Shaul Mofaz avec 37.1 %. La chaîne 2 annonce une avance de 48 % pour 37 % et la chaîne 10, 49 % pour Livni devant Mofaz avec 37 %.
Les deux autres challengers Avi Dichter et Meir Sheetrit ont obtenu 7% chacun.
Le taux de participation avoisine 50 %.
Selon des sources internes à Kadima, les trois perdants doivent retrouver Tzipi Livni au parc des expositions de Tel-Aviv pour s’adresser aux militants.
Les résultats difinitifs seront connus au milieu de la nuit.
Le président Shimon Pérès se prépare à organiser des consultations marathon avec les partis de la Knesset, jeudi 18 septembre, dès l’issue des élections internes de Kadima.
Date à laquelle le Premier ministre, Ehoud Olmert, s’est également engagé à rendre sa démission.
Il est n’est pas impensable que le vainqueur des primaires prenne également la tête du gouvernement - une éventualité qui dépendra de la popularité dont jouit cette personne au parlement.
Avant cela, le président devra consulter chacun des partis représentés à la Knesset. C’est alors à partir de leurs recommandations qu’il nommera le député le plus apte à former un nouveau gouvernement.