Hamas War

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Israeli Political System, Simply Put



Many people, even in Israel, could use a quick review:
  • We ordinary citizens do not elect the Prime Minister.
  • We vote for lists of wannabe Knesset members according to party lists.
  • After the election results are in, The Israeli President, who is elected by the Knesset members, is supposed to ask the various party leaders to tell him/her who they think has the best chance to put together a ruling coalition.
  • Then the President appoints the party leader who seems to have the trust of the other parties to attempt to negotiate a coalition  which may take more than one try. And the Prime Minister does not have to be the leader of the largest party.  He/she must be the best deal maker.
That's it in a nutshell.

2 comments:

deborah said...

A balygan democracy

Batya said...

Yes, but I still like it more than the American Electoral College. And it gives a chance for many opinions to govern.