1.  Ben-Eliezer had defeated Burg in a bitter leadership contest that ended in December after a re-vote in some polling areas.

2.  He also blamed his stepping down from the party leadership, a bitter leadership fight that followed, and division in the party over a defeated referendum.

3.  Newspaper editorials and columnists also say Chretien should go, noting that surviving a bitter leadership battle with Martin might badly damage the party.

4.  The bitter leadership feud has split the National Front into two warring camps.

5.  The party is currently involved in a bitter leadership struggle that has wound up in state court.