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JERUSALEM (AP) -- November 10, 2005
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A fiery union leader won a stunning victory over Shimon Peres in the leadership contest for Israel's Labor Party, dealing a blow to the elder statesman that could endanger the country's shaky governing coalition.
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Amir Peretz has promised to pull Labor out of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government, raising the likelihood of early elections. [The] labor leader captured over 42 percent of the vote, while Peres took just under 40 percent. A third candidate, former party head Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, got 17 percent.
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The outcome will have deep implications for Sharon's shaky coalition. Peres, a former prime minister who is now vice premier, wanted to keep Labor in the government until elections scheduled in November 2006.
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Peretz wants to steer the party back to its socialist roots, pull out of the coalition and force early elections. [But] Sharon remains the country's most popular politician and Labor leaders believe they are in no position to unseat him.
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CNN Report