Peres, speaking on the Israeli television program Meet the Press, said he would have chosen candidates differently, and that it was not necessary for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to decide alone who will represent the Kadima party. Every other party holds primaries or designates its central committee to nominate candidates.
Peres's aides later denied that he asked the Prime Minister to place him in the top 10 list of candidates. Peres refused to tell the television program which candidates have been nominated, but Channel Two television reported that Peres is in the first ten on the list.
The top candidate after the Prime Minister, according to Channel 2, is Finance Minister Ehud Olmert, followed by Justice Minister Tzippy Livny.
In fourth place is former security agency director Avi Dichter, followed by Minister Meir Sheetrit, Chaim Ramon, Peres, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, Tzachi HaNegbi and Minister Avraham Hirchson.
Kadima party officials responded, "The list is in the hands of the Prime Minister, and no final decision has been made on the matter."
Peres's aides later denied that he asked the Prime Minister to place him in the top 10 list of candidates. Peres refused to tell the television program which candidates have been nominated, but Channel Two television reported that Peres is in the first ten on the list.
The top candidate after the Prime Minister, according to Channel 2, is Finance Minister Ehud Olmert, followed by Justice Minister Tzippy Livny.
In fourth place is former security agency director Avi Dichter, followed by Minister Meir Sheetrit, Chaim Ramon, Peres, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, Tzachi HaNegbi and Minister Avraham Hirchson.
Kadima party officials responded, "The list is in the hands of the Prime Minister, and no final decision has been made on the matter."