It has been assumed that Sharon would appoint members of his new party as temporary ministers, to replace those from Labor who quit last week. The Likud ministers even said that they would not object to the appointments.
However, Sharon decided to wait until Dec. 8, when the government officially assumes "lame-duck" status and Sharon will then be able to appoint permanent ministers. In any event, they will serve only until the national elections, set for March 28, 2006.
Front-runners to be named as ministers are MKs Roni Bar-On and Ze'ev Boim - two stalwart Sharon-supporters whom the Prime Minister tried twice before to appoint as ministers. Both times, however, the Knesset turned him down, refusing to allow him to reward his supporters in this fashion.
Among the portfolios that Sharon, as Prime Minister, will now fill - until ministers are named - are Housing, Interior, Infrastructures, Communications, Science and Environment.
It was reported this morning that Shimon Peres, who served as Labor Party Chairman for close to 20 years over the course of several terms, is strongly considering joining Sharon's new Kadima party. Peres consulted over the weekend with Chaim Ramon, the only Labor MK who has joined Kadima so far. Peres also spoke with Sharon-confidante Uri Shani.
The Likud, meanwhile, continues to try to ferret out Kadima moles within its ranks. A top activist on behalf of front-running Likud chairman candidate Binyamin Netanyahu has suggested that private detectives be hired to track Likud members who are actually acting on behalf of Sharon.
Netanyahu will officially launch his campaign for Likud Party head today. His motto is: "Netanyahu - the leader of the true Likud", which can also be read as, "Netanyahu - the true leader of the Likud." Recent polls show that he will gain a plurality of the votes in the primaries to be held on Dec. 19, and will then beat Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz in a run-off a week later.
Netanyahu announced this morning that if elected to head the Likud, he will recommend that the party's ministers quit the government.
The Shinui Party is launching its election campaign today, with the motto: "Rule of Law. Shinui - home of the secular and middle class."
However, Sharon decided to wait until Dec. 8, when the government officially assumes "lame-duck" status and Sharon will then be able to appoint permanent ministers. In any event, they will serve only until the national elections, set for March 28, 2006.
Front-runners to be named as ministers are MKs Roni Bar-On and Ze'ev Boim - two stalwart Sharon-supporters whom the Prime Minister tried twice before to appoint as ministers. Both times, however, the Knesset turned him down, refusing to allow him to reward his supporters in this fashion.
Among the portfolios that Sharon, as Prime Minister, will now fill - until ministers are named - are Housing, Interior, Infrastructures, Communications, Science and Environment.
It was reported this morning that Shimon Peres, who served as Labor Party Chairman for close to 20 years over the course of several terms, is strongly considering joining Sharon's new Kadima party. Peres consulted over the weekend with Chaim Ramon, the only Labor MK who has joined Kadima so far. Peres also spoke with Sharon-confidante Uri Shani.
The Likud, meanwhile, continues to try to ferret out Kadima moles within its ranks. A top activist on behalf of front-running Likud chairman candidate Binyamin Netanyahu has suggested that private detectives be hired to track Likud members who are actually acting on behalf of Sharon.
Netanyahu will officially launch his campaign for Likud Party head today. His motto is: "Netanyahu - the leader of the true Likud", which can also be read as, "Netanyahu - the true leader of the Likud." Recent polls show that he will gain a plurality of the votes in the primaries to be held on Dec. 19, and will then beat Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz in a run-off a week later.
Netanyahu announced this morning that if elected to head the Likud, he will recommend that the party's ministers quit the government.
The Shinui Party is launching its election campaign today, with the motto: "Rule of Law. Shinui - home of the secular and middle class."