Sharon expected to be the loser

Israelis voted in municipal elections today, and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Likud party was expected to lose key mayoral positions.

Sharon led Likud to a sweeping victory in February general elections, but the party might be hurt on the local level by infighting and competition by independent candidates, some of whom are backed by the opposition Labour party, analysts said.

Some voters might also withdraw their support for Likud in anger over Sharon’s decision to keep traditional allies, including the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, out of the governing coalition. Shas is very active on the municipal level.

A Likud loss could weaken Sharon, who has been hurt by corruption allegations.

Sharon is expected to be questioned by police this week in connection with those allegations, according to Israeli media.