Ironically, he is preening that he is doing this for the good of the country, even though he fought bitterly against the scheduling of the Kadima primary that has become the catalyst for his exit.
The beginning of Olmert's announcement was a summary of his accomplishments as Prime Minister, including, ironically, taking credit for the peaceful situation in the north of the country. Hezbollah has seized de facto control of Lebanon, and Olmert's requested UN "disarmament force" has resulted in an inventory of several times the pre-war missile stockpile aimed at Israel.
PM announces he will resign after Kadima elects new leader
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a special press conference on Wednesday at 8 p.m. where he announced he will not run in the Kadima primary scheduled to take place in September.
Olmert said he would resign from office upon selection of a successor, and would allow his successor to attempt to form a coalition.
The premier lashed out at his political adversaries without naming any of them - either from Kadima or other parties - personally.
Olmert opened his speech by expressing his pride to be a citizen of Israel: "As a citizen in a democracy I have always believed that when a person is elected prime minister in Israel, even those who opposed him in the ballot want him to succeed....
The winner in the Kadima primary will have until October 26 to submit his new government for approval by President Shimon Peres.
In case the elected leader fails, the president customarily grants another 90 days to form a government; after the 90 days are through, in case no coalition is formed, a general election is scheduled, thus potentially allowing Olmert to remain in power until March 2009.
After the primary Olmert will remain in office as prime minister of a transitional government, until his successor in Kadima manages to forge a new coalition or until general elections are held.
