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| By israelinsider staff May 28, 2007 |
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| Also-rans? Labor candidates at the Conference of Presidents event |
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An exit poll for Channel 1 awarded Barak the victory with 38 percent and Ayalon with 36 percent. Current chairman Amir Peretz had only 17 percent. Channel 2's poll, however, said Ayalon led with 39 percent to Barak's 33 percent and Peretz's 19 percent. Should no candidate break the 40 percent bar, a second round will be held between the two leading contenders on June 12th. Final results are expected within 5 hours.
Ayalon has said that he would not remain in the coalition under Prime Minister Ehud Olmert if he is elected party chief. Barak said he was willing to serve temporarily as a Defense Minister in place of Peretz with the understanding that new elections would be called.
Should the 19-member Labor faction leave the coalition, Olmert might seek support from religious or far-right parties. Failing that, he might be forced to resign.
Peretz, voting Monday in his hometown of Sderot, made the odd comment that the thing he loves most after his wife is analyzing polls. "Every vote that goes to Amir Peretz is one step closer to the Finance Ministry and progress in the social revolution," he said, referring to the platform on which he was elected as chairman 18 months ago. He has said that he will resign as defense minister to take up a post in the treasury -- if he wins.
A Kassam exploded nearby as Peretz was in town to vote. He was not hurt, and celebrated the fact that the town was voting despite the continual attacks.
Barak, voting in Kfar Sava, emphasized that only he can deal with an expect conflict, and win in a face-off with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I am telling the voters two things today: Think hard about who you want more in times of war. Only I, at the head of this large beehive of a party, can beat Netanyahu. I have a very good feeling this morning."
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