Labor Party leader Amir Peretz will hold a series of consultations with his ministers and MKs, in an attempt to reach agreement over the appointment of a replacement for Science and Sports Minister Ophir Pines-Paz, whose resignation goes into effect this afternoon.

The appointment requires the approval of the party's central committee, and Peretz, who is not interested in another power struggle in the committee, would like an agreed-on candidate.

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The two leading possibilities appear to be MK Matan Vilnai and former prime minister Ehud Barak, whose supporters are trying to arrange for him to join the government.

Although Peretz has not turned down the initiative out of hand, it is believed he will not want Barak to be in a position of strength. It is possible that the two will meet when Barak returns Friday from a business trip to Chicago. So far Barak has not been approached by Peretz and therefore does not consider this a real option.

Vilnai is interested in the position, and has already held the portfolio in the past. His candidacy is not likely to arouse opposition in the party. If Peretz appoints him, he is likely to ask Vilnai to resign his Knesset seat, so as to make room for number 20 on Labor's list, Shakib Sna'an, a Druze. Such a move is expected to help Peretz with the Arab sector. But Vilnai is still debating whether or not to run. His last attempt led him to drop out of the race halfway and left a bad taste in his mouth, and this time he is proceeding with much greater cautious.

Six candidates for the party leadership

The declaration by outgoing minister Pines-Paz of his intention to contest the Labor party leadership has so far not caused shifts on the party map. At least six candidates are now planning to enter the race, whose exact date is yet to be determined. Party regulations call for primaries to be held in May 2007, but they are likely to be postponed.

With so many contestants in the divided party, which according to the latest polls could garner a mere 15 seats in an election, Peretz can expect to have a hard time. So far, he is the only minister who plans to enter the race - unless the "Barak intiative" gains momentum and the former prime minister is parachuted into the cabinet.

Besides Pines-Paz, Vilnai and Barak, the other hopefuls are Knesset members Ami Ayalon, Avishai Braverman and Danny Yatom. Without the yoke of ministerial responsibility, they will be free to make Peretz's life a misery and will constitute an internal opposition to him, in their efforts to distinguish themselves from Peretz in the eyes of voters.

Pines-Paz, the new and fresh opposition, is the most problematic, from the point of view of Peretz. Until now he has been moderate in his criticism of Peretz, but since sending in his letter of resignation, two days ago, he has begun attacking him fiercely. He will remind Peretz daily of the social agenda, of his commitment to evacuate the outposts, and of Avigdor Lieberman.

But though Pines-Paz begins from a strong position, he will have to develop his management skills, build up his body of supporters (among the other party rebels, three are also candidates for the top position), refrain from becoming worn out, and remain relevant until May.

Braverman and Ayalon are a different story. Each agreed that he would support the other if he seemed to have a better chance of success, in return for becoming that candidate's number 2. So far, this is still the plan, but there are those in the party who believe the agreement will not last for long.

At present, among the three, surveys put Ayalon in the lead. He is appearing around the country and slowly building up a network of supporters. Yatom, long considered a Barak supporter, is still serious about contesting.

But now Barak, who for years has been out of favor, appears to be making a comeback in the polls. He is maintaining his cool and until he is convinced that there is a serious momentum in his favor, does not plan to leave behind his business ventures and take a significant step in the direction of the various party branches.