Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered his Kadima party to prepare for a primary election that could see him replaced as its leader.

There has been growing pressure for Mr Olmert to step down as prime minister over a corruption scandal.

Mr Olmert Beleaguered Olmert's party eyes succession ...
Olmert party rival looks to polls ...
Israeli FM says party must prepare for elections ...
Olmert 'took cash in envelopes' ...
Olmert to face second interrogation ... denies he accepted up to $500,000 (£250,000) in bribes or illegal campaign donations.

The party election is being seen as an attempt to stop his coalition partners from supporting calls for a snap poll.

The prime minister has not been charged over the bribery allegations, but has said he would resign if indicted - which would be expected to lead to early elections.

Mr Olmert admits accepting funds from Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky, before he became prime minister in 2006, but says they were legitimate campaign donations.

No date has been set for the Kadima primary vote, but it is not expected to be held until after Mr Talansky is cross-examined in the bribery investigation on 17 July.

Correspondents say the growing uncertainty over Mr Olmert's future is casting doubt over his ability to press forward current peace talks with the Palestinians, with his weak domestic political position likely to make it harder for him to negotiate.

Kadima has just 29 MPs out of a total of 120 seats in the parliament, the Knesset, and relies on the Labour Party's 19 MPs as key allies in its governing coalition.

(BBC)

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