What’s next for Sharon

JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is being gradually awakened by his doctors after suffering a massive stroke January 4.

Here’s what’s next. Medically Doctors began trying to bring Sharon out of his induced coma yesterday, and he started breathing independently, but he’ll be kept on a respirator for the time being.Doctors say the process of awakening him out of the coma could take hours or days.Once the anesthesia has been eased, doctors will conduct neurological tests to assess the extent of brain damage from the massive stroke Sharon suffered five days earlier.After those tests, the hospital will report to Attorney General Meni Mazuz on Sharon’s condition.Politically Based on the doctors’ report, Mazuz could choose to declare Sharon “permanently incapacitated,” meaning he cannot complete his term as prime minister.However, there is no urgency for this to be done, Justice Ministry spokesman Yaakov Galanti said, because Ehud Olmert has been appointed acting Prime Minister, giving him all of Sharon’s old authorities.Should Mazuz declare Sharon permanently incapacitated, the Cabinet would have to elect a new prime minister within 24 hours, Galanti said.The new prime minister would only serve until March 28 general elections.The new prime minister has to be a Cabinet minister, a lawmaker and a member of Sharon’s centrist Kadima party.Five Cabinet minister meet the requirements, but Olmert remains the top contender.- Nampa-APMedically Doctors began trying to bring Sharon out of his induced coma yesterday, and he started breathing independently, but he’ll be kept on a respirator for the time being.Doctors say the process of awakening him out of the coma could take hours or days.Once the anesthesia has been eased, doctors will conduct neurological tests to assess the extent of brain damage from the massive stroke Sharon suffered five days earlier.After those tests, the hospital will report to Attorney General Meni Mazuz on Sharon’s condition.Politically Based on the doctors’ report, Mazuz could choose to declare Sharon “permanently incapacitated,” meaning he cannot complete his term as prime minister.However, there is no urgency for this to be done, Justice Ministry spokesman Yaakov Galanti said, because Ehud Olmert has been appointed acting Prime Minister, giving him all of Sharon’s old authorities.Should Mazuz declare Sharon permanently incapacitated, the Cabinet would have to elect a new prime minister within 24 hours, Galanti said.The new prime minister would only serve until March 28 general elections.The new prime minister has to be a Cabinet minister, a lawmaker and a member of Sharon’s centrist Kadima party.Five Cabinet minister meet the requirements, but Olmert remains the top contender.- Nampa-AP