The Knesset has elected MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud-Beitenu) as Israel's tenth president in a 63:53 second round vote, against MK Meir Sheetrit (Hatnua). Rivlin will succeed President Shimon Peres and serve a single, seven-year term.
Supreme Court Justice Emeritus Dalia Dorner, former Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik and Nobel Laureate Prof. Dan Shechtman failed to advance to the second round of voting. The election was conducted by a secret ballot of 119 Knesset members (MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism) was absent).
After the results were announced Sheetrit congratulated Rivlin and wished him success in his new job. Although a member of the Likud, Rivlin had to overcome the opposition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who initially opposed his candidacy.
In his inaugural speech after winning the vote he said, "I will be the President of everyone, and a man of the people."
Rivlin will take office on July 27. His place in the Knesset will be taken by Carmel Schama, number 32 on the Likud-Beitenu list, who served in the previous Knesset.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 10, 2014
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