Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Israel's Peres begins consulting parties on PM
| International
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
International
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Environment
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Israel's Peres begins consulting parties on PM
Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:00pm EST
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
By Ori Lewis
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli President Shimon Peres began a week-long process on Wednesday of consulting party leaders and deciding whom he should ask to form a new government after an indecisive election.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, head of the centrist Kadima party, and right-wing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu have each staked a claim to be prime minister since the February 10 vote.
Kadima won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament to 27 for Netanyahu's Likud party. Despite Livni's edge, ex-premier Netanyahu appears to command the largest bloc of support and has argued that his appointment would bring stability.
Livni, Israel's chief negotiator with the Palestinians, says she is best qualified to keep U.S.-sponsored peace talks on track and has offered to bring in Netanyahu as a junior coalition partner.
"Tzipi Livni has a better chance of forming a unity government, which is what Israel needs at this time," Finance Minister Roni Bar-On of Kadima told reporters after meeting Peres in the first round of consultations.
"A unity government means a government that stretches from the center to the fringes, both to right and to the left. It cannot be formed by an extreme party."
A Likud delegation met Peres next.
"A decisive majority of the Israeli electorate voted for parties from the right wing and they want to see Netanyahu as prime minister," said Gideon Saar, the Likud parliamentary faction leader.
Under Israeli law, Peres names the candidate for premier. Peres was originally scheduled to meet representatives of other parties by Friday but he said he would accelerate the talks.
Peres has until February 25 to name the lawmaker who will become prime minister if he or she can build a ruling coalition. The candidate has 42 days to form a government and must then win parliament's approval.
"I intend to speed up the consultations so that by tomorrow evening I will complete meeting all the parliamentary factions," a Peres spokeswoman quoted him as saying.
Past presidents have mostly chosen the leader of the largest party. The electoral stalemate means Livni and Netanyahu may choose to forge a coalition, politicians in both their parties have said.
Livni and her allies have said they would not join a government headed by Netanyahu. Netanyahu insists he should be prime minister and that he could form a government without Kadima and with the support of a rightist bloc of 65 lawmakers.
Peres's decision could depend on whom the largest far-right party, Yisrael Beitenu, with 15 seats, recommends as prime minister. That party has not said which candidate it will support and has been holding talks with both.
Left-wing and centrist lawmakers who could be Livni's natural allies have won 55 seats and not all have vowed to support her.
(Editing by Robert Woodward)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
My Web
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Two professors theorize on bin Laden hideout
Also On Reuters
Reality TV fashion stars find rough road to runway
Slideshow
Slideshow: Archaeological digs - from mummies to masks
Blog: Is Allen Stanford a fraudster or just a cricket fan?
More International News
Karzai expects reduced tensions with U.S.
| Video
Russia, Georgia agree plan to avoid new clashes
Sarkozy tries to avert French unrest with aid plans
Mexican drug gang menace spreads in Guatemala
Cleric leads "peace march" through Pakistan's Swat
More International News...
Related News
FACTBOX: Israel's coalition options
12:22pm EST
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
Stanford depositors swarm banks
Recession will be worst since 1930s: Greenspan
Los Angeles nears water rationing | Video
Stanford Antigua bank branches besieged by clients | Video
Obama unveils plan for troubled housing market | Video
U.S. charges Allen Stanford with "massive" fraud | Video
Stanford whereabouts unknown after charges: SEC
Afghans turn "new page" as U.S. sends more troops | Video
Trump's "golden" image on trial after bankruptcy
Obama speech on home mortgage crisis
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
SEC charges Stanford with fraud
GM, Chrysler ask for billions more
California dream turns gray
Obama hedges on stimulus goals
Drug cartel and troops in gun battle
Lessons from Japan's "lost decade"
Israel strikes Gaza tunnels
NY family fights home loan woes
Spaceship-like car to hit U.S. roads
Basketball match ends in violence
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
the great debate
Obama's foreign policy challenges
President Barack Obama’s toughest foreign-policy challenge will be in managing the sheer number of complex problems he’s inherited and their refusal to arrive in orderly fashion. Commentary
Reuters Deals
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators
Knowledge to Act
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Interactive TV |
Labs |
Reuters in Second Life |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Thursday, 19 February 2009 Karzai expects reduced tensions with U.S.
| International
|
Russia, Georgia agree plan to avoid new clashes
| International
|
Sarkozy tries to avert unrest with new aid plans
| International
|
Mexican drug gang menace spreads in Guatemala
| International
|
Israel's Peres begins consulting parties on PM
| International
|
Two professors theorize on bin Laden hideout
| International
|
Helicopter carrying 18 crashes off Scotland
| International
|
North Dakota House Passes Measure To Ban Abortion
Telecoms industry gets real in Barcelona
| Technology
|
Texas Wary Of Strings Attached On Stimulus Money
Update: Obama Unveils $75 Billion Foreclosure Plan To Help Homeowners
Asia's shoppers go online as Internet barriers fall
| Technology
|
Feb 18 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy
Formal brain exercise won't help healthy seniors: research
| Technology
|
Third Earthquake In Three Weeks Strikes New Jersey
Telecoms executives keep faith in emerging markets
| Technology
|
Arkansas Lawmakers Propose Raising State Minimum Wage To Federal Levels
Albuquerque, NM Police Find Mysterious Sixth Set Of Human Bones
Verizon picks Alcatel-Lucent for network
| Technology
|
Maryland Governor Opposed To State Senate President's Plan To Put Slot Machines At Airport
Clinton Arrives In Jakarta; Criticizes Myanmar's Military Junta
Chipmakers seek growth in small devices
| Technology
|
Scientists Warn Of Water Level, Temperature Rise Around New York Area
DTV coupon backlog seen gone within weeks
| Technology
|
Oscar for Ledger would go to daughter Matilda
| Entertainment
|
Judge rejects Polanski's bid to reopen sex case
| Entertainment
|
Famous Ethiopian singer has jail term cut
| Entertainment
|
Albuquerque, NM Police Find Mysterious Sixth Set Of Human Bones
Israel says no cease-fire until soldier comes home
Egyptian authorities free opposition leader Nour
Correction: Iraq exhibit story
US state's 'personhood' law would hit birth control: opponents
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush due in court
Fed sees US contraction, moves toward inflation goal
NATO revisits Afghan strategy as US troops ready to deploy
Obama unveils 275 billion dollar housing plan
Egypt frees political dissident Ayman Nur
UBS admits US tax fraud, to identify scofflaw clients
Israel's Peres begins vetting parties for PM pick
Sarkozy unveils benefits package to stem protests
Palestinian unity talks delayed: Egypt
Stanford probe puts cricket chiefs on defensive
Jewish leaders: Punish UAE for banning tennis star
Brown calls for 'grand bargain' at G20 summit
Obama says mortgage program to help up to nine million
Rape, war, climate to top UN chief's African tour
Brazil climate change threatens top coffee crop
Russia: global warming to cause droughts, floods
Geronimo's Family Sues U.S. Gov't, Yale University, Secret Society To Recover Famous Apache's Remains
Obama heads to Canada
NASA, ESA Set Exploration Of Jupiter Moons
Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at Bush goes on trial
Appeals Court: Chinese Muslim Detainees From Gitmo Can't Transfer To U.S.
'Tough year' ahead in Afghanistan: US general
Jury Rules Philip Morris Must Pay $8M Damages To Widow, Son Of Chain Smoker
Counter-Narcotics Row Leads To Expulsion Of Second U.S. Diplomat In Ecuador
US commander: Troops 'stalemated' in Afghanistan
Lance Armstrong's stolen bicycle recovered
Search Yields No Avalanche Victims At Mountain Ski Resort
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 580
President Obama Not Interested In Re-Instating Fairness Doctrine
US-TECH Summary
Louisiana Gov. May Not Want All The Stimulus Money For His State
Lawmakers: US must enforce assault-gun import ban
Few report hitches as digital TV switch begins
Wall Street Finishes Flat As Stocks Fail To Rally On Relief Efforts
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'
Canadian Liberal Leaders Meet Obama On Thursday
T-Mobile USA tests $50 unlimited call plan
HP reports 13 pct drop in net profit, lowers outlook
French forces come under fire on Guadeloupe
New service unmasks blocked telephone calls
18 rescued after helicopter drops into North Sea
AMD stockholders approve Abu Dhabi investment
Facebook reverses course on privacy policy
Berlusconi death flight 'joke' opens Argentina row
Formal "brain exercise" won't help healthy seniors: research
Czech lower house approves EU's Lisbon Treaty
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'
EU's Solana heads for Belarus as relations thaw
Russia, Georgia take first step on conflict prevention
Russia, Ukraine in new row over envoy's comments
Hollywood writers' union pickets "American Idol"
Warning! Oscar can be bad for your career
Hollywood struggles to find wealth on the Web
Vietnam and Vatican discuss establishment of ties
Mickey Rourke loses beloved chihuahua in Oscar week
Snow business: China enjoys induced snowfall
Ubisoft to drive "Wheelman" for cash-strapped Midway
Japanese leader under pressure to resign
NZ wants action to prevent Antarctic cruise disaster
China hopes for continuity as Clinton visits
Philippine gunmen kidnap businessman, daughter
Underdogs have their day at Oscars
Asian Development Bank wants capital tripled: president
Hollywood writers' union pickets "American Idol"
Taiwan kills 600 pigs to contain foot-and-mouth
Pakistan repays maturing $500 mln Eurobond
Small fire at Tracy Morgan's NYC apt.; no injuries
Clinton hammers Obama message home in Asia
London takes a fresh look at Le Corbusier
South Korean won falls for 8th session
Malaysian politics thrown into further turmoil
'Sale of the Century' for Saint Laurent art collection
Seoul shares end down;banks, exporters lead losses
Japan PM apologises for finance minister debacle
Small budgets, big dreams at Spirit Awards
Air China says no additional fuel hedging: report
CEOs less popular than politicians: poll
Japan leaves interest rate on hold amid recession
Warning! Oscar can be bad for your career
China to step up auditing to ensure stability
Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee touts cologne
Japan's central bank leaves interest rates on hold
US-HOLLYWOOD-WEB
Korea Hot Stocks-LG Display, Daewoo Engineering rise
WRAPUP 2-South Korea says it can cope with debt burden
Australia, Indonesia talk trade, illegal migrants
Clinton says Indonesia shows Islam and modernity coexist
Geronimo's Family Sues U.S. Gov't, Yale University, Secret Society To Recover Famous Apache's Remains
Clinton: Obama may want to wait to visit Indonesia
Zimbabwe To Pay State Workers, Soldiers In U.S. Dollar
Green Comet Making Closest Approach To Earth On Feb. 24
Key hawk endorses Netanyahu for Israeli premier
NATO revisits Afghan strategy as US urges long-term effort
U.S. lawmakers make rare visit to Hamas-ruled Gaza
Kyrgyzstan shuts U.S. air base, NATO Afghan help sought
| International
|
Tupac Shakur's Estate Sued By Movie Company For Backing Out Of Film Agreement
Aussie Band Men At Work's Guitarist Arrested In LA For Threatening To Kill Lead Singer
Russia acquits all accused over Politkovskaya murder
Netanyahu wins backing in Israeli PM contest
| International
|
Tracy Morgan's New York Apartment Scorched By Fire
North Korea warns of war as Clinton heads for Seoul
| International
|
Iraqi shoe-thrower defiant as trial adjourned
US to press allies for more Afghanistan troops
Bush's icy smile enraged Iraq shoe-thrower
| International
|
BNP suffers 1.366-bln-euro 4th qtr loss
US Senator John Kerry visits Gaza
Kabul eyes control on aid, security in U.S. review
| International
|
BNP Paribas profit plunges to 3.0 bln euros
Iraq reporter who threw shoes at Bush goes on trial
Court acquits 3 of aiding murder of Politkovskaya
| International
|
Swiss Re posts historic annual loss
Pakistani Islamists ask Taliban for peace in Swat
| International
|
North Africa Qaeda posts photos of Western hostages
| International
|
Bangladesh ferry sinks with 19 dead
| International
|
Japan PM has support of most party chapters: poll
| International
|
John Kerry visits Gaza Strip
Kyrgyzstan MPs approve closure of U.S. air base
Obama to address protectionist fears on Canada trip
iPhone features everywhere in rivals' new phones
| Technology
|
Kerry Leads Congressional Delegation To Gaza; Condemns Hamas
Mobile advertising edges closer to breakthrough
| Technology
|
Funds For School Sports May Be Cut Due To Recession
Whereabouts of detained Egypt blogger unknown: Amnesty
| Technology
|
Bankrupt New York Retailer Fortunoff Stops Redeeming Gift Cards Without Notice; Customers Angry Over Lost Money
Hollywood struggles to find wealth on the Web
| Technology
|
First Lady Celebrates Black History Month With D.C. School Children At White House
Republicans, Mortgage Bankers Concerned About President's Foreclosure Plan
Few report hitches as digital TV switch begins
| Technology
|
Fed Forecasts High Unemployment Until 2011
Facebook reverses course on privacy policy
| Technology
|
Kyrgyzstan's Parliament Votes To Evict U.S. From Air Base; Only Military Supply Route For U.S. Troops In Afghanistan Will Be Risky Khyber Pass
Radical cleric Qatada wins payout for UK detention
T-Mobile USA tests $50 unlimited call plan
| Technology
|
Pope Speaks To Pro-Choice Pelosi About 'Dignity Of Human Life'
New York Post Editorial Cartoon Denounced As Racist
White House: Illinois Deserves To Know Full Extent Of Burris' Contacts With Blagojevich
Clinton says NKorean disarmament stalled
US says NKorea future leadership uncertain
Warning! Oscar can be bad for your career
| Entertainment
|
Ferry capsizes in Bangladesh with 60 onboard
Mickey Rourke loses beloved chihuahua in Oscar week
| Entertainment
|
Japanese woman impregnated with wrong egg
U.S. festival spotlights Arab arts and humanity
| Entertainment
|
Japan scrambles to ease credit crisis
Uighurs denied release in US: court ruling
China approves stimulus for light industry
Oscar for Ledger would go to daughter Matilda
| Entertainment
|
5 more suspects detained in Beijing hotel fire
Iran, Afghanistan pledge to boost bilateral trade
500 Internal Server Error
China calls on Russia to investigate ship incident
Thailand's exports plunge amid global downturn
Thailand hopes new cocktail can lure back tourists
Bank of Taiwan lowers deposit, savings rates
N.Korea accuses U.S. of planning nuclear strike
Hollywood struggles to find wealth on the Web
| Entertainment
|
Pakistani forex reserves rise to $10.37 bln
China calls for return of Guantanamo Bay inmates
Georgians take swipe at Putin with Eurovision entry
| Entertainment
|
ADB likely to cut 2009 Asian growth forecast
Small budgets, big dreams at Spirit Awards
| Entertainment
|
Movie dubber dies, was `voice' of Woody Allen
Japan leaves interest rate on hold amid recession
Taiwan dollar at 5-1/2-yr low, more weakness seen
Coogan catches indie spirit as awards show host
Legal battle erupts over film rights to Tupac's bio
| Entertainment
|
Is `Man on Wire' the best film of the year?
Stiller & Co. prepare for 'Little Fockers'
| Entertainment
|
'The Rock': No plans to return to wrestling ring
NY Post cartoon of dead chimpanzee stirs outrage
Lee in talks to direct 'Life of Pi' adaptation
AP's Bob Thomas wins lifetime achievement award
Ledger poised for Oscar win
Georgia Eurovision entry to poke fun at Putin
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights