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| Snap poll call as Olmert departs | Snap poll call as Olmert departs |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Israeli right-wing opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu has called for snap elections, after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he would stand down. | Israeli right-wing opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu has called for snap elections, after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he would stand down. |
| Mr Netanyahu said the government had "finished its mission" and was responsible for a "string of failures". | Mr Netanyahu said the government had "finished its mission" and was responsible for a "string of failures". |
| Mr Olmert announced on Wednesday that he would not stand in a leadership race for his Kadima Party set for September. | Mr Olmert announced on Wednesday that he would not stand in a leadership race for his Kadima Party set for September. |
| He was under increasing pressure to quit over mounting corruption allegations, which he denies. | He was under increasing pressure to quit over mounting corruption allegations, which he denies. |
| Allies and opponents of Mr Olmert alike have backed his decision to quit. | Allies and opponents of Mr Olmert alike have backed his decision to quit. |
| He plans to remain as caretaker PM until a new government is formed. EHUD OLMERT'S POLITICAL LIFE 1993: Begins 10-year stint as mayor of Jerusalem2005: Leaves right-wing Likud party with former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to form Kadima2006: Takes over as leader when Ariel Sharon suffers a stroke2007: Helps relaunch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after seven-year hiatus2008: Announces plans to resign class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7534200.stm">Olmert to quit: Reaction in quotes class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7533996.stm">Israeli PM's party leadership rivals class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7534261.stm">PM finally bows to pressure | |
| 'Correct decision' | 'Correct decision' |
| Ex-PM and Likud Party leader Mr Netanyahu told public radio on Thursday: "This government has finished its mission, irrespective of who will head Kadima. | Ex-PM and Likud Party leader Mr Netanyahu told public radio on Thursday: "This government has finished its mission, irrespective of who will head Kadima. |
| "Everyone in this government is responsible for a string of failures. We must let the people decide through new elections." | "Everyone in this government is responsible for a string of failures. We must let the people decide through new elections." |
| The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says there are fears that unless a successor can quickly form a new government, Mr Olmert may limp on as a caretaker leader for several weeks. | The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says there are fears that unless a successor can quickly form a new government, Mr Olmert may limp on as a caretaker leader for several weeks. |
| He says many observers believe that scenario is unlikely to help Israel and the Palestinians reach a deal by the end of the year, the aim under the current US-backed peace process. | He says many observers believe that scenario is unlikely to help Israel and the Palestinians reach a deal by the end of the year, the aim under the current US-backed peace process. |
| Mr Olmert's main coalition partner, the Labour Party leader and Defence Minister Ehud Barak, said he believed Kadima could form a new government without a new general election. | Mr Olmert's main coalition partner, the Labour Party leader and Defence Minister Ehud Barak, said he believed Kadima could form a new government without a new general election. |
| An opinion poll released just before Mr Olmert's announcement suggested Israeli voters thought Mr Netanyahu would make the best premier, ahead of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. | An opinion poll released just before Mr Olmert's announcement suggested Israeli voters thought Mr Netanyahu would make the best premier, ahead of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. |
| Ms Livni, a favourite to replace Mr Olmert as head of the Kadima Party, said the prime minister's decision had been hard but correct. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_israelis_on_olmert0s_decision_to_stand_down/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_israelis_on_olmert0s_decision_to_stand_down/html/1.stm', '1217520963', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Israeli views on the decision by Ehud Olmert to stand down in September href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_israelis_on_olmert0s_decision_to_stand_down/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_israelis_on_olmert0s_decision_to_stand_down/html/1.stm', '1217520963', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures | |
| A former protege of Ariel Sharon, she helped broker Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and has championed a vision of Israel co-existing with a Palestinian state, say analysts. | A former protege of Ariel Sharon, she helped broker Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and has championed a vision of Israel co-existing with a Palestinian state, say analysts. |
| But critics argue she lacks the military and political experience to lead the country. | But critics argue she lacks the military and political experience to lead the country. |
| Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, another main contender to replace Mr Olmert, has said that if he wins the party contest, he is confident of winning enough support to form a workable coalition government. | Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, another main contender to replace Mr Olmert, has said that if he wins the party contest, he is confident of winning enough support to form a workable coalition government. |
| More politically experienced than Ms Livni and with a strong background in the military, he could prove more appealing to smaller right-wing and religious parties, according to our correspondent. | More politically experienced than Ms Livni and with a strong background in the military, he could prove more appealing to smaller right-wing and religious parties, according to our correspondent. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY This is a good move and long overdue, Olmert is a weak PM in a country that cannot afford to have weak leaders. James, JerusalemSend us your comments | |
| Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit are also seen as potential successors. | Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit are also seen as potential successors. |
| Mr Olmert faces a corruption inquiry over allegations that he received illegal campaign donations from businessman, Morris Talansky, and that some of the money was used to buy luxury items. | Mr Olmert faces a corruption inquiry over allegations that he received illegal campaign donations from businessman, Morris Talansky, and that some of the money was used to buy luxury items. |
| He has not been charged, and denies the allegations. | He has not been charged, and denies the allegations. |
| The scandal is one of six corruption investigations Mr Olmert has faced during his time in office. | The scandal is one of six corruption investigations Mr Olmert has faced during his time in office. |