Meretz Chairwoman Zehava Galon stunned the political sphere Wednesday when she announced she would not be seeking another term as the party's leader and was retiring from politics.
Galon was first elected to the Knesset in 1999 and was named Meretz's chairwoman in 2012. In October, Galon resigned from the Knesset, saying she wanted to devote her time to changing the party's electoral system and expanding its voter base by enacting open primaries.
The party is expected to hold the first primary elections in its history on March 22.
"I have come to the conclusion that Meretz voters are interested in new leadership. I'm proud of opening Meretz to primaries, which will enable the next chairperson to have a party that is stronger than the one I had when I was elected," she said.
The primaries' move, she explained, "was an attempt to bring about a real change in the Left that will draw people from Labor and the Joint Arab List into Meretz. Opening Meretz [for primaries] was a tremendous success and I don't regret it for a moment.
"I have spent my entire political career fighting for my principles and values, and I would do it all again, even knowing the personal toll it takes," she said.
Meretz faction chairman MK Ilan Gilon, who said he would be vying for the party's leadership, announced that he, too, was pulling out of the primaries.
Gilon, who has a leg disability as a result of a childhood battle with polio, cited health issues as the reason for his decision.
"I have recently suffered from medical issues that have limited my ability to campaign as I would like to. I will continue to serve the public as head of the Meretz faction in the Knesset," he said.
Galon and Gilon's announcements dramatically changed the primaries' landscape. Meretz insiders said MK Tamar Zandberg is now the front-runner for the party's leadership, although Peace Now Director Avi Buskila remains a strong contender.
