Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak, two former Israeli prime ministers, are poised to stage career comebacks today in separate political races.

Mr Peres, a Nobel laureate and the most senior Israeli statesman, is expected to become the new President today after a secret Knesset vote.

Mr Barak, a former general and military chief of staff, last night defeated Ami Ayalon, a former naval commander, for the leadership of the Labour Party. As ballots in the Labour leadership contest were still being counted, officials from both camps said that Mr Barak was about six points ahead of his rival.

In his victory speech, Mr Barak outlined a programme that “combines uncompromising security . . . determined pursuit of real peace, reinforcement of the rule of law, and healing Israeli society”.

The votes hold special significance for Mr Peres and Mr Barak. The political career of Mr Peres spans 50 years, during which he has held leading Cabinet posts and twice served as Prime Minister. But he has never won an election to a national post in his own right, failing in five general elections.

He ran a failed campaign for the Israeli presidency seven years ago against Moshe Katsav, who is expected to stand down next month to face charges of sexual assault and rape.

Mr Peres, a former Labour leader who defected in 2005 to the centrist Kadima party, is now the candidate of choice of Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister. Most Israelis regard the 83-year-old as a voice of reason, whose moderate politics could improve the country’s reputation on the world stage.

His election to the ceremonial post of President is also seen as key to bolstering the image of Mr Olmert’s Government, which has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals and a scathing report into its conduct during last summer’s war in Lebanon.

Mr Peres is reported to have broad support from various parliamentary blocks, ranging from the ultra-orthodox Shas party to his own Kadima.

Mr Barak’s victory, which will be announced formally today, will be viewed as a partial vindication for the former Prime Minister, whose support eroded in 2001 after he failed to negotiate peace with the Palestinians, paving the way for Ariel Sharon to claim subsequent political victory.

The new Labour leader will be crucial to the survival of Mr Olmert’s Government, which rules in coalition with Labour. Mr Barak is expected to be offered a high-profile Cabinet post, such as the finance or defence ministry.

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