Lahiani not joining Kadima leadership race

Final list of candidates for March primary: Livni, Mofaz and Dichter.

Livni speaks at Herzliya Conference 390 (photo credit: Courtesy of Kadima)
Livni speaks at Herzliya Conference 390
(photo credit: Courtesy of Kadima)
Bat Yam Mayor Shlomi Lahiani announced he would not be running for Kadima leadership on Monday, hours before the deadline to officially submit candidacy.
The final list of candidates for the Kadima primary, set to take place on March 27, consists of party Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, MK Shaul Mofaz and MK Avi Dichter.
Lahiani explained that he considered running, but decided against it because he loves Bat Yam and still has work to do as its mayor.
However, he added that he would like to lead Kadima in the future.
Last week, sources close to Mofaz accused Livni of encouraging Lahiani to run to take votes away from Mofaz. Livni rejected the accusations.
“Nothing of the sort even entered my mind,” she said. “I would let anyone run because we live in a democracy and our party is democratic.”