Elections 2009 / Olmert: I hope Livni is elected prime minister
Outgoing PM Olmert rumored to have considered voting for rival Likud party due to rift with Livni.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Israel electionPrime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday issued an endorsement for his centrist Kadima Party, following speculations regarding his vote in Israel's upcoming general elections.
The uncertainty over whom Olmert would be voting for began to dissipate early last week when he told fellow ministers during a government meeting: "This time I will be voting for the party headed by a woman."
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Olmert's remarks were made after various political sources speculated that he would not vote for his own party due to the rift with his Kadima successor and prime ministerial candidate Tzipi Livni.
Some political officials had stated that Olmert would rather vote for the right-wing Likud, or would even cast a blank ballot in light of his fractured relations with Kadima's chairwoman.
Kadima members, including Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, MK Haim Ramon and MK Tzachi Hanegbi, pleaded with Olmert several weeks ago to support his party. Olmert responded affirmatively.
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