Not Gone and Unhappily Not Forgotten: Ehud Olmert Resigns As Prime Minister, But He'll Be Around For Awhile

It's a little like the old country music song, "How Can I Miss You When You Wouldn't Go Away." Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who turned in his letter of resignation to President Shimon Peres this evening. It is expected that President Peres will designate Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, elected last week in the Kadima Party primary to be the head of that party, to try to form a new government. She will have 42 days to do so. During that six week period, Ehud Olmert will continue to serve as Prime Minister, of a caretaker government. If Ms. Livni fails to form a coalition government, new elections will follow. Seven months may elapse before a new government takes office as the result of those elections, and during that time, Ehud Olmert will continue to serve as Prime Minister. Seven months gives a person like Olmert ample time to do great mischief.