(VOVworld)-Israeli lawmakers will elect a successor to outgoing President Shimon Peres on June 10, parliamentary speaker Yuli Edelstein said Monday. Edelstein's announcement marks the official start of a race for the position, which has been held by Peres since 2007. Candidates must receive the backing of at least 10 other MPs, and formally present their application in writing to the speaker by May 27. Each MP may support one candidate only and a candidate who receives at least 61 votes of support from the 120-seat parliament will become president for a 7-year term.

Israel’s Knesset parliament

Potential candidates are Energy Minister Silvan Shalom, a member of the ruling rightwing Likud party, and veteran Labour parliamentarian Benjamin Ben Eliezer, who has held several ministerial portfolios and already has the backing of 10 MPs. On Monday former Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin of the Likud party formally announced his candidacy. Rivlin ran in the 2007 race, losing to Peres.