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Israelis Pessimistic on Sharon’s Return
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Few adults in Israel believe Ariel Sharon will govern again, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 87 per cent of respondents think Sharon will not return as prime minister.
Sharon—originally a member of the Likud party—has headed the Israeli government since March 2001. In the January 2003 general election, Likud received 29.4 per cent of the vote and elected 38 legislators to the Israeli Parliament. Likud temporarily lost its parliamentary majority in June 2004 after traditional allies disagreed with Sharon's "Disengagement Plan." In January 2005, the prime minister formed a new government with the Labour party and the United Torah Judaism alliance.
Sharon was expected to lead the newly created Kadima into the next election, scheduled for Mar. 28. On Jan. 4, Sharon was rushed to hospital after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage. The prime minister has remained in a coma since then. Sharon is listed in critical but stable condition.
Deputy prime minister Ehud Olmert has become Israel's acting head of government. The Israeli Parliament's 120 seats are allocated by proportional representation. 75 per cent of respondents believe it would not be prudent to place Sharon at the top of the Kadima list ahead of the election.
Polling Data
Do you believe Ariel Sharon will return as prime minister?
Yes | 12% |
No | 87% |
In light of the prime minister's condition, would it be prudent to place him at the top of Kadima's list ahead of the election?
Yes | 23% |
No | 75% |
Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 501 Israeli adults, conducted on Jan. 12, 2006. Margin of error is 4.3 per cent.
