Israel's opposition Likud Party called Thursday on Knesset factions to agree on a date for new elections, rather than join a government headed by Tzipi Livni, who scored a narrow victory in the leadership primary of the ruling Kadima party, reported dpa.
Livni, who beat her main rival Shaul Mofaz by only 431 votes in the race to succeed discredited Kadima head and prime minister Ehud Olmert, said after the results were announced early Thursday morning that once charged with the task, she hopes to build a coalition as soon as possible.
"Israel's prime minister should be elected by the entire public, and not by a margin of 431 voters. Forming a government under these conditions will constitute a legislative farce, detrimental to Israeli democracy," the YNet news site quoted Likud whip Gideon Sa'ar as saying.