FACTBOX: Profiles of Israeli political leaders

(Reuters) - Israel's Kadima party holds an election next month to choose a successor to Ehud Olmert, a process that could leave him as caretaker prime minister for months until a new government is formed.

Here are short profiles of the people whose actions may shape Israel's political future:

EHUD OLMERT

Became prime minister in January 2006 when Ariel Sharon fell into a coma after a stroke. Won subsequent election as head of the centrist Kadima party he founded with Sharon in 2005 and formed a coalition with the Labour party and religious and small parliamentary groups. Popularity was battered by inconclusive war in Lebanon in summer 2006 against Hezbollah guerrillas. Damaged by corruption investigations, Olmert, 62, denied any wrongdoing but said in July he would resign after Kadima chooses his replacement. He said he would continue to pursue peace talks with the Palestinians until his last day in office.

TZIPI LIVNI

Chief peace negotiator and daughter of a prominent right-wing Zionist, Livni, 50, is tipped in polls as the likeliest successor from within Kadima. A former intelligence agent, she is widely seen as positioning herself to be Israel's first woman leader since Golda Meir in the 1970s.

SHAUL MOFAZ

A former general, Mofaz is also a top contender in the Kadima race. As army chief and later as defense minister, he spearheaded Israel's tough response to a Palestinian uprising that erupted in 2000. Mofaz serves as transport minister in Olmert's cabinet and also leads Israel's regular strategic dialogue with the United States. He was born in 1948 in Iran and if successful in his bid to take over from Olmert would become Israel's first prime minister not of European descent.

EHUD BARAK

As Labour leader and defense minister, Barak could trigger an early election if he does not renew a coalition partnership with Olmert's successor. Barak, a former prime minister, has kept his plans vague, waiting to see who Kadima chooses.

Barak, 66, negotiated peace with the Palestinians but talks broke down amid violence in 2000, costing him his job. He also held talks with Syria which collapsed just short of a deal.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU

Hawkish opposition leader who was prime minister in the late 1990s, U.S.-educated Netanyahu, 58, is flying high in opinion polls at the head of right-wing Likud party. His party opposes major concessions to the Palestinians in peace talks.

SHIMON PERES

As Israel's president, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace laureate and former Labour leader will have the task of asking Olmert's successor, or another candidate, to try to form a government after the prime minister resigns.