Kadima sets December 17 primary date

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Kadima's law committee decided on Monday to hold its primary on December 17 and will likely be the last of the three largest parties to select its candidates for the February 10 general election. The last date for candidates to announce their candidacy for the Kadima race will be November 23. Almost every current Kadima MK is expected to run for re-election in the party, excluding Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, former Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson and MK Ze'ev Elkin. MK Marina Solodkin, who was pursued by several parties, decided to remain in Kadima following meetings with Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, who guaranteed that the party would field two immigrant candidates in its top 20 and four in its top 30.