Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has registered his new party under the name ‘Qadima’ (Forward) on Thursday morning.
Later in the day, members of the new faction are gathering in Tel Aviv to discuss the name with a group of strategic advisers.
Previously, the temporary name given to Ariel Sharon’s new political party was ‘National Responsibility.’
The party is currently engaged in marathon negotiations to recruit more members of Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
Sharon departed from his Likud party earlier this week. His aides said he believes the rifts within the Likud prevented him from functioning as prime minister.
Sharon came under heavy criticism from members of his party after he initiated the plan to withdraw Israeli troops and civilians from the Gaza Strip in August.
Recent polls suggest that the new centrist party headed by Sharon enjoys significant popularity in the public, surpassing that of both the Likud party and the Labor Party.
General elections in Israel are slated for March 28, 2006.
Meanwhile, the central committee of the Likud party is meeting on Thursday afternoon for the first time without Sharon, who helped found the faction.
The Likud party will hold elections for its leadership on December 19.