Dalia Itzik wins Kadima primaries
Knesset speaker big winner in Wednesday's Kadima primaries, to follow Livni, Mofaz on party's Knesset list; only 44% of eligible voters cast ballots, marking lower turnout than recent Likud, Labor primaries. High turnout reported in Arab sector. Following results, Livni says Kadima to 'bring Israel back'
Woman power: Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik is the big winner in Wednesday's Kadima primary elections. The win places Itzik third on the party's Knesset roster behind Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz.
Knesset member Tzachi Hanegbi won second place in the vote, followed by Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On, who came in third. The two have secured the fourth and fifth spots on Kadima's Knesset roster, respectively.
Ministers Ze'ev Boim, Meir Sheetrit, Avi Dichter and Ruhama Avraham, as well as Knesset Member Marina Solodkin, also made it into the top 10. Overall, four women made it into the top 10 spots on Kadima's Knesset list.
Kadima's roster for the 18th Knesset:
1. Tzipi Livni
2. Shaul Mofaz
3. Dalia Itzik
4. Tzachi Hanegbi
5. Ronnie Bar-On
6. Ze'ev Boim
7. Meir Sheetrit
8. Ruhama Avraham
9. Avi Dichter
10. Marina Solodkin
Kadima's top 10
Arab sector leads the way
A total of 44.1% of Kadima voters cast their ballots in the primaries, taking advantage of the opportunity to select the party's Knesset roster. A high voter turnout rate was recorded, as expected, in the Arab sector, where nearly 70% of eligible voters cast their ballots. A high turnout rate was also recorded in the south.
Overall, about 44% of eligible Jewish voters exercised their right to vote. The final voter turnout rate is lower than that recorded in the recent Labor and Likud primaries.
Throughout the day, the candidates traveled from one polling station to another and engaged in numerous phone conversations with activists and supporters. The computerized voting system operated smoothly during the primaries, yet many eligible voters remained indifferent and chose to stay home.
The day also featured rumors regarding "blacklists," endorsements, and various deals aimed at boosting various candidates.
Livni: Kadima has a winning team
Speaking at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds after the names of the party's new candidates were called, Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni said, "Kadima has proven it can do what the Likud and Labor can't do – have accurate and democratic computerized elections.
"Kadima has a winning team. This is the team that will go with me as one team to the Knesset and the head of the government."
Livni said she was pleased with the voter turnout and the smooth functioning of the computerized system.
"This is a team the signifies the center, a team of talented people, the team that will run this country, and will bring Israel back to what it was meant to be, and what it vowed to be the day it was founded.
"Together, with all of us, everyone with us on the stage, Kadima is going to win the elections."
