Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, will designate today through secret vote the next president of the country.
The candidates for the seat are vice president Shimon Peres (Kadima Party), deputy Reuven Rivlin (Likud) and the Romanian-originating deputy Colette Avital (Labor Party). France Presse announced at noon that the voting procedure begun.
The ninth Israeli president will replace Moshe Katsav, fallen to disgrace after allegations involving him in a possible rape and sexual harassment scandal.
Update: Simon Peres was elected as president, being supported by 86 out of the 120 members of the Knesset.
