Aides to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed satisfaction on Wednesday with the election of Vice Premier Shimon Peres as President. The result represents a victory for Olmert, they said, and a sign that he has overcome his former difficulties and is regaining popularity.



The election of Peres, they said, proves that Olmert “can run a candidate for President of the state of Israel and win,” and shows “a renewed recognition of the Prime Minister’s power.”