|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
| EHUD BARAK PROJECTED WINNER | |
 May 17, 1999 
|
||
|
|
-- Updated at 4:25 pm EDT |
|
Israel's Channel One is reporting that Mr. Barak has received
58.5 percent of the vote compared to 41.5 percent for Mr. Netanyahu. Channel
Two is reporting similar numbers with the One Israel candidate capturing
57 percent to 43 percent for Mr. Netanyahu.
Actual votes are cast on paper ballots so final election results will not be available until tomorrow morning. In the 1996 elections, exit polls failed to predict Mr. Netanyahu's victory over Shimon Peres. According to those numbers, Mr. Peres defeated Mr. Netanyahu by a narrow margin of 1 or 2 percent. It was not until the final votes were tallied that it become apparent that Mr. Netanyahu won the election. But a repeat of 1996 does not appear likely. With such a large victory predicted for Mr. Barak, Benjamin Netanyahu has conceded defeat. "I want to congratulate Ehud Barak on his victory in the elections," Netanyahu said at a press conference. "This is how it has to be in a democracy." In addition, Mr. Netanyahu announced his decision to step down as the leader of the Likud party. "I think the time has come to take a break to be with my family, with my wife and small children, and decide on my future. Therefore, I announce today my intention to quit the leadership of the Likud," Netanyahu said . The NewsHour will be discussing the Israeli elections in greater depth tonight. Check local listings for broadcast times or go to http://www.pbs.org/stations/ for the PBS station in your area. -- Compiled from wire sources |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
        |
|
| Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station. | ||
| ||
| PBS Online Privacy Policy Copyright ©1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved. | ||
| ||
