Meir Shitri
Meir ShitriFlash 90

MK Meir Shitrit of Kadima has called upon his party's chair Tzippi Livni to call for primaries as soon possible. Shitrit has now joined two other potential contenders- former ISA head Avi Dichter and former defense minister Shaul Mofaz in calling for primaries.

Shitrit bases his call on a discussion held a year ago when the party reached a decision to delay the primaries. It was necessary he explained to change the party bylaws that stipulate primaries only 3 months prior to general elections. This makes no sense because the newly elected party chair has to get used to the role before embarking on the general election campaign. Obviously this carries the implication that the elected chair will not be Ms. Livni.

Livni is feeling increasing heat within her party due to the recent polls that place Kadima in 3rd place behind the Labor Party (in some polls Kadima ties for 3rd and 4th place with Israel is Our Home).

The election of the new Labor Party chair Shelly Yachimowitz has at least for the moment made Labor more attractive than Kadima for voters on the left.

Livni loyalist former Treasury Minister Ronni Bar'on speaking yesterday on  Reshet Bet's  Its Just Talk program is attempting to assure his jittery party colleagues by claiming that the preoccupation with the Labor primaries has given that party a bump in the ratings but the effect will soon subside.