Now that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced that he is stepping down, here’s a calendar of key dates coming up based on Jerusalem Post coverage.
Aug. 24, 2008: Deadline for Kadima party personalities to join the race.
Sept. 17, 2008: Party members vote for new leader in primaries.
Oct. 26, 2008: Deadline for new party leader to form a Knesset coalition and present the government (i.e., the cabinet) to President Shimon Peres for approval.
The situation gets sticky if the new Kadima leader fails to muster a coalition. The Post explains the “fine print.”
In case the elected leader fails, the president customarily grants another 90 days to form a government; after the 90 days are through, in case no coalition is formed, a general election is scheduled, thus potentially allowing Olmert to remain in power until March 2009.
After the primary Olmert will remain in office as prime minister of a transitional government, until his successor in Kadima manages to forge a new coalition or until general elections are held.
