Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's called a crucial leadership vote for Monday which she hopes will head off a bitter showdown with rival Kevin Rudd.
Gillard moved swiftly a day after Rudd announced his resignation as foreign minister.
SOUNDBITE: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying (English):
"Following Kevin Rudd's resignation yesterday I have formed this view that we need a leadership ballot in order to settle this question once and for all. I believe it is in the interests of the Labour Party that it be determined once and for all but much more importantly I believe it is in the interests of the Australian nation."
The early vote limit's Rudd's ability to build support to replace Gillard as Labour leader after he announced his resignation on Wednesday during a visit to the United States.
His supporters want the leadership ballot delayed to give him more time to speak to colleagues.
He's refusing to say outright if he'll contest the leadership ballot.
SOUNDBITE: Kevin Rudd, Australian former Foreign Minister, saying (English):
"I've said very plain, plainly, that I need to consult more with colleagues and it's appropriate that I make that statement in Australia. But let me just say this, I do not believe, I do not believe that Prime Minister Gillard can lead the Australian Labor Party to success in the next election."
Rudd's considered unlikely to have enough support to mount a leadership challenge.
Opinion polls suggest he's more popular than Gillard with voters but he's not well liked within the government.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
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