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Vice Premier Shimon Peres (file)
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| By israelinsider staff May 30, 2007 |
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Vice Premier Shimon Peres formally announced his candidacy for president during a special Kadima session Wednesday.
Peres stated that after the prodding of many, he finally decided, with much deliberation, to run for president. This is the second time that Peres has run for president -- he lost the race to Moshe Katsav in the last election in July 2000.
"After much thought, I have decided to acquiesce to the requests that I be a candidate for the state presidency," said Peres. Several key advisers, however, reportedly warned him that he would not win and would shame himself with an unprecedented eighth straight loss, since Knesset members who profess to be ready to vote for him will in fact turn against him in a secret ballot.
"I decided to accept this position after numerous requests, first and foremost by the prime minister, MKs, and many others, who have asked me to give a contribution, and I must say perhaps my last contribution ... in service of the state," he continued.
At the special Kadima session, Peres stated he would work toward "national reconciliation, national equality and purity of ethics," and that one of his main goals would be to "strengthen the political order and stability. The nation needs calm."
"The president does not have a lot of powers, but he has the authority to do good deeds and to express enthusiastic faith," he stated.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who had strongly urged Peres to run for the presidency, stated during the meeting, "I promise you that until June 13 we will work all the time, without exhaustion, in order to ensure that the Knesset rises to the challenge."
"It can be said with certainty that Israel wants to have the honor of seeing Shimon Peres, who represents so much of what the people of Israel think is good and proper and respected, as the state president. He is a national asset of the State of Israel."
"More than you need this institution, this institution needs you," stated Acting President Dalia Itzik. Itzik also criticized all the Kadima MKs who don't back Peres' candidacy.
Former coalition chairman MK Avigdor Yitzhaki and ex-justice minister Haim Ramon, both of Kadima, have already voiced their concern that Peres might not be able to get enough support to be elected on June 13.
"The two of them are able to express their doubts openly. There are many in the party who don't think that Peres is really the right choice," said one Kadima MK.
Peres' two main contenders are MK Colette Avital (Labor) and MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud).
In this election it appears that Peres' success depends on the support of the Shas party. The same party had pledged support for Peres in the July 2000 election, but many apparently changed their mind during voting, leading to Peres' defeat to Moshe Katsav.
Likud candidate MK Reuven Rivlin is expected to give out a letter Wednesday attacking Peres. The letter never states Peres' name, but its intention is clear.
"A blatantly political selection will transform the presidency into just another political position, and turning the presidency into a prize for lifetime achievement, or political compensation for past disappointments, will undermine the restoration of the presidency's public standing," stated Rivlin in the letter. |
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