Last update - 00:00 19/03/2007
Peres: Olmert will continue to serve as PM despite Winograd report
By Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Monday he believes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will continue to govern even after the Winograd Committee publishes its report on the second Lebanon war.
Peres stressed that unlike the impression given by media reports, he has no idea what the committee will decide.
Peres told parliamentary reporters he would make every effort to ensure Olmert remains in power. Reports that one third of Kadima's Knesset members plan to create an independent faction are unfounded, according to Peres.
The vice premier also criticized Olmert's detractors. "I have known every prime minister since the foundation of the state," he said. "In Israel, people elect leaders in order to criticize them. It is my duty as a citizen to allow the prime minister to do his job."
He also commented on MK Haim Ramon's conviction for indecent behavior, saying the verdict against him may have been exaggerated.
Regarding his candidacy for the presidency, Peres said: "I wouldn't say I'm worthy of the presidency. That is for the nation to decide. I see polls which indicate that I'll be elected, and I'm not putting any conditions on that."
Currently, presidential election is by secret ballot, which is seen as unfavorable to Peres due to the likelihood that many MKs will break ranks with him. Olmert has been trying to promote a bill to change the law and vote by open ballot for several months, to increase Peres' chances of winning the election.
Peres declined to comment on whether he would still run for the presidency if the law does not change, and the decision is made by secret ballot.
Peres voiced his opinion on the Palestinian unity government, saying: "The government is unified for administrative purposes and divided politically. [Palestinian Authority Chairman] Mahmoud Abbas says one thing and [Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail] Haniyeh another."