Amram Mitzna, the mayor of Haifa, is presently ahead of Mr Ben-Eliezer in the opinion polls, with Mr Ramon trailing.

ECONOMIST: Reprisals and politics

But Labour's leader, Amram Mitzna, says he will not join, and the centrist Shinui party, which came third, will not share power with an ultra-Orthodox party.

ECONOMIST: Disarming arguments

Now thoughts are turning to the general election on January 28th 2003, when the newly elected leader of the Labour Party, Amram Mitzna, will face Mr Sharon.

ECONOMIST: Sharon's sombre victory | The