2008 Kadima leadership election

Candidates

• Tzipi Livni, foreign minister of israel
• Avi Dichter, Internal Security Minister
• Shaul Mofaz, Transport Minister
• Meir Sheetrit, Minister of the Interior

Campaign

On 28 July 2008 Livni announced that she would challenge Prime Minister Olmert for party leadership. Olmert was being politically dragged down by corruption investigations. Livni argued that the party had been misled under Olmert's leadership On 30 July Olmert announced that he had against seeking reelection as party leader and prime minister.

The two front-runners throughout the campaign consistently remained Mofaz and Livni, with Livni always holding a consistent lead in the polls.

While both frontrunners supported a two-state solution, Mofaz attacked Livni for wanting to divide Jerusalem in a final peace deal with the Palestinians, and claimed that his military experience would make him a more qualified Prime Minister. Livni and her supporters claimed that a vote for Mofaz is the same as a vote for the Likud due to Mofaz's hawkish and more right-wing positions. Livni also enjoyed a "clean" reputation, being seen as having honesty and integrity, and being free from corruption allegations. Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert remained neutral in the primary, but was alleged to privately favor Mofaz.

Results

Exit polls released after the poll indicated a double-digit victory for Livni. The actual vote count turned out much closer, amid very low turnout, with Shaul Mofaz coming within a few hundred votes of winning an unexpected victory over Livni. Supporters of Mofaz called for a recount but Mofaz rejected any legal challenge of the declared result and called Livni to congratulate her on her victory, as did Sheetrit and Dichter.

Aftermath

After Mofaz's loss, he announced that he would be taking a break from politics and leaving the government and Knesset. However, he would remain a member of Kadima. Soon after, however, he rescinded his statement, and went on to win the 2nd place in Kadima's Knesset list for the 2009 election. In a rematch in 2012, he won the leadership, and in the 2013 election led the party to a stunning collapse, winning 2 seats.

After her election, Livni failed to form a governing coalition, having failed to reach an agreement with Shas. Subsequently Knesset elections were held on 10 February 2009.

References

References

1. (2008-09-18). "A new leader for Kadima". Los Angeles Times.
2. (30 July 2008). "Olmert to resign after September vote".
3. (16 January 2006). "Acting Israeli leader to head Sharon's party".
4. (16 January 2006). "Kadima picks Olmert as interim chief".
5. (28 July 2008). "Livni says Kadima lost way under Olmert".
6. (31 July 2008). "Olmert to Quit After Elections in September".
7. "Mofaz, Barak gang up on Livni".
8. "2007 World Economic Forum session on the Middle East (Davos) Session summary".
9. (2021-11-28). "Political Statements on a Two-State Solution to Resolve the Arab (Palestinian)-Israeli Conflict, 1937–Present".
10. "Mofaz accuses Livni of dividing J'lem".
11. Kadmon, Sima. (2008-08-06). "Shaul Mofaz: Full frontal". Ynetnews.
12. מועלם, מזל. (2008-07-30). "מופז: "אסור לאולמרט וללבני להגיע להכרעה עם הרשות עד לפריימריז"". [[Haaretz]].
13. (2008-06-12). "Israel's Mrs. Clean - TIME".
14. "Olmert May Quit and Name Mofaz as PM To Weaken Livni".
15. Tim Butcher. (2008-09-17). "Israel: Tzipi Livni wins Kadima vote to become new PM". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
16. (2008-09-18). "Livni to lead Israel ruling party". [[BBC News]].
17. Staff writer. (2008-09-18). "Mofaz activists: We'll demand a recount". [[The Jerusalem Post]].
18. Meranda, Amnon. (2008-09-18). "Mofaz Says will Take Break from Politics". [[Ynetnews]].
19. (2008-09-23). "חוזר לפוליטיקה? מופז ישוב בקרוב מחופשתו - וואלה! חדשות".
20. "מופז חוזר למשחק". [[Haaretz]].
21. "בחירות 2009 - פריימריז בקדימה: מזכ"ל העבודה איתן כבל: כתמי הרשימה נמצאים על בגדי לבני". [[Haaretz]].
22. אזולאי, אטילה שומפלבי ומורן. (2012-03-27). "שאול מופז בנאום הניצחון: ציפי, מקומך איתנו". Ynet.
23. הדר, ירון דרוקמן ושירי. (2013-01-23). "אין עתיד בקדימה: המפלגה שאיבדה את מצביעיה". Ynet.
24. דרוקמן, ירון. (2019-10-21). "כמו פרס ולבני: נתניהו הוא השלישי שמחזיר את המנדט". Ynet.