Israeli coalition talks to begin next week

Israel’s president today said he’ll start talking to party leaders next week about forming a coalition, and that he expected a stable government would emerge.

Traditionally, the Israeli president gives the nod to the leader of the largest party to try to form a government.

In yesterday’s election, the centrist Kadima Party of acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert won the most seats in parliament.

Kadima won 28 seats, fewer than expected, but enough to form a majority coalition.

“I assume there will be a stable government,” president Moshe Katsav told Israel Army Radio.