Q & A: Future of the peace process

CNN correspondent Fionnuala Sweeney answers questions about the Israeli election result, and its impact on the future of the Middle East peace process.

Q: Do you see Europe taking more of a role in steering peace talks while President George W. Bush finds his feet in the new U.S. administration?

A: The Palestinians have always wanted to see more of a European role, but the U.S. has always been a big player, partly because of Israel's concerns. It is too early to say how Bush will handle the situation.

Since he was sworn in two-and-a-half weeks ago his administration has adopted a wait and see policy. He did not get involved in the elections and it seems he does not want to get so involved as the former President Bill Clinton did - even though he used the message that the U.S. was a "friend of Israel" in his recent election campaign.

FACTS Sharon’s hurdles  • Has 45 days to form government once results are confirmed on February 13  • Must gain Knesset approval of his budget by March 31 - if unsuccessful, new elections will be called    VIDEO CNN's Brent Sadler describes the memories many Palestinians have of Sharon (February 7) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Israel Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon thanks supporters in his victory speech (February 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Ehud Barak delivers concession speech to Labor Party supporters (February 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Barak's concession speech - Part 2 (February 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES Israeli Election 2001     GALLERY Timeline gallery: Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon    MESSAGE BOARD Mideast peace     ALSO Sharon to face old foes Press alarmed by Sharon win Investors wait on Sharon Analysis: Europe fears for peace process Bush pledges close cooperation with Sharon Palestinians pledge to work with Sharon

George W. Bush is not like his father, or appears not to be. Bush Snr was seen as less pro-Israeli, following the Reagan administration which was pro-Israeli.

Q: What are the implications of Sharon's victory with Israel's Arab neighbours - he has already had a verbal scuffle with Egypt's leader?

A: It is too early to say. Sharon must first focus on security for Israel -- that is why Israelis voted for him. He has called for the four month intifada to end and says he means to pursue security and peace -- they were not just campaign slogans. But certainly, his Arab neighbours are wary of him. Sharon has to wake up and concentrate on forming a government.

Q: Little emerged during the Likud election campaign on how he would achieve "security and peace." How clever was his campaigning?

A: He was certainly very circumspect on how he would achieve this promise. It was a very tight campaign -- not necessarily orchestrated by him, but rather his handlers. He did not appear much and did not run many interviews.

Q: What are the chances of survival for Sharon's government?

A: He has 45 days to form a government. It is a question of whether he gets unity and which Labor members are included. If he cannot achieve this his government base will be too narrow -- it will include the far right and religious groups. Most people say he cannot do it and that elections will take place in three months for a new government.

Q: What is Barak's future now?

A:A lot depends on who you speak to. There is no definitive answer and we will have to wait to find out what he will do next. A Labor member of the Knesset I spoke to said they just do not know.

For example, look at Benjamin Netanyahu (previous Israeli prime minister). He was in the political desert after his defeat to Barak in 1999 (which was at the time the worst defeat in Israeli politics), but he was generally considered to be the most popular politician in Israel at the time of these elections, even though he did not stand.

Q: Barak said he was to quit the Labor Party leadership and his seat in the Knesset -- can he possibly join a unity government without losing face?

A: He does appear to be standing down, which will lead to a real challenge for the Labor Party to find a new leader. Former Labor leader Shimon Peres has said he is interested in joining Sharon's unity government. Barak has said he will only if the Likud party refuses to follow a right-wing policy.

Q: It would be a remarkable comeback for Netanyahu if he was to fight the next campaign as Likud Party leader?

A: Netanyahu has been Sharon's shadow in this campaign, just as Peres has been Barak's. Anything can happen in Israeli elections -- and usually does.

Sharon wins landslide victory
February 7, 2001
Q&A: What happens now?
February 7, 2001
Europe urges Sharon to work towards peace
February 6, 2001
Israelis vote amid threats
February 6, 2001
Rabbis back Sharon
February 4, 2001

Israeli Prime Minister's Office
The Knesset
Likud
Avoda (Labor) Party
Meretz Party
Palestinian National Authority
PLO Negotiations Affairs Department
Israel Defense Forces
Palestinian Red Crescent
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.