Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert has announced that he will not run for re-election as Kadima Party leader in September and step down as premier once a successor is elected. Dogged by allegations of corruption, Olmert said he would step down "in order to allow the [Kadima] chairman to form a different government quickly and efficiently." Olmert's brief address to the media at his Jerusalem residence included harsh criticism of police investigations into corruption allegations against him. He said he was choosing the public good over his personal justice. Olmert again denied wrongdoing but pledged to resign if indicted. Appearing angry and reading from a prepared text, Olmert said, "I was forced to defend myself against relentless attacks from self-appointed 'fighters for justice' who sought to depose me from my position, when the ends sanctified all the means."
The prime minister's decision not to contest the Kadima primary elections on 17 September means that either foreign minister Tzipi Livni or transport minister Shaul Mofaz are likely to become prime minister if elected as Kadima chairman. Livni currently has an advantage in the polls. If she were to replace Olmert, she would become the second female prime minister in Israeli history, after Golda Meir.
