Livni refuses to stand behind Mofaz if she loses

Shaul Mofaz: Primaries should be held ASAP, "any other decision would indicate [Livni] is acting according to personal interest."

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Livni Mofaz Knesset 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Livni Mofaz Knesset 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni declined to commit to stay in politics and support the winner of the Kadima leadership race if she loses, Livni’s rival, MK Shaul Mofaz, said Thursday following a meeting with her.
Mofaz asked Livni and other prospective candidates to make such a commitment after Livni said in a recent interview that she cannot wait to end her political career.RELATED:Mofaz: Livni must quit due to financial irregularitiesLivni downplays meeting with Mofaz
“Every candidate must respect the decision of the voters and stand behind whoever is elected to head the party in order to help defeat Netanyahu,” Mofaz said he told Livni.
Mofaz also asked for an independent arbiter to monitor the election to ensure that it would be administered fairly. He said the primary should be held as soon as possible in order to help the victor prepare properly for a race against Netanyahu.
“There is no choice other than advancing the primary,” Mofaz said following the meeting.
“Any other decision would indicate that [Livni] is acting according to her own personal interest and not for the good of the party. She must display responsibility and not run away from making a decision.”
Livni said she would consult with all 28 Kadima MKs before making a decision about when the primary should be held.
She has said publicly on many occasions that she has already decided to advance the primary, which Kadima bylaws state should be held within three months of the next general election that is currently set for October 2013.