Source tells 'Post' former PM "is still making inquiries," estimates he will make a decision soon.
By LAHAV HARKOVEHUD OLMERT 370(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Former prime minister Ehud Olmert plans to decide this week whether he will run in the upcoming election or not.A source denied that the former prime minister would publicize his intentions on Monday night, when he is scheduled to give a speech at a Tel Aviv University Institute for Applied Diplomacy conference, saying that the speech will be “purely diplomatic.”“Olmert is still making inquiries,” a source told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.“Monday isn’t a deadline set in stone, but I estimate he will make a decision soon.”Last Tuesday, the State Attorney’s Office decided to appeal Olmert’s acquittal in corruption cases, making it less likely for him to run, though his spokesman Amir Dan called the appeal “a personal and wicked witch hunt that was a waste of the public’s funds.”The former prime minister’s decision on whether or not to make a comeback will be coordinated with his successor as Kadima leader, former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who is likely to run, as well as former Kadima council chairman Haim Ramon. If Olmert does not run, Livni is likely to form a new party.Olmert also met with former IDF chief of staff Lt.- Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi last week, to discuss the possibility of presenting him as candidate for defense minister.Last Tuesday, the State Attorney's Office decided to appeal Olmert's acquittal in corruption cases, making it less likely for him to run, though his spokesman Amir Dan called the appeal "a personal and wicked witch hung that was a waste of the public's funds."Click for full JPost coverage
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
