It is likely that any such parliamentary election would not end well for the Kadima party. Such an election, it is predicted, would play into the hands of the Likud party, the major centre-right party of Israel, which predicts a victory at the polls. If the election were to turn out like this, it is likely that there would be a major shift in both goverment policy-makers and policy.

On an international level, the victory of Tzipi Livni provides the Bush Administration with a chance, slim though it is, to fulfill their goal of a Palestinian-Israeli Peace Accord. Ms. Livni is more well liked than any of her adversaries by Fatah-PA officials, who consider her both competent and up to date on the situation in the Palestinian territories. She is seen as taking less hawkish stances on Palestine and Iran, and will be easier to work with. This would allow her to work more closely with members of the PA to come to a better solution in the area.

As a minor side note, her lack of corruption allegations, which plagued the Olmert administration, and her seeming greater willingness to negotiate with the PA may help restore some of the damage done to Israeli politics.