Last update - 00:00 06/06/2007
Peres actively recruiting MK votes for presidential election
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent
Vice Premier Shimon Peres on Tuesday met with five lawmakers from across the political spectrum, in an effort to ensure a majority vote in the upcoming Knesset election.
Among those Peres met were Knesset members Yosef Chagal of Yisrael Beiteinu, and Ophir Pines-Paz from Labor.
Unlike the previous presidential showdown in 2000, when Peres was beaten by Likud candidate Moshe Katsav, this time Peres is very much involved in wooing MKs.
Since he announced his candidacy about a week ago, Peres has set up a large team of advisers including advertiser Reuven Adler, strategist Eyal Arad, Peres' own adviser Yoram Dori, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's adviser Oved Yehezekel, cabinet secretary Yisrael Maimon, and Kadima director general Yohanan Plesner.
Olmert, like some team members, received a list of potential Peres supporters, and asked to meet them to secure their support.