Elections-a-go-go
Sharon does the victory dance
Tuesday was the Israeli national pastime known as Knesset Elections. It's a holiday, to make voting more convenient. In a country of only 4.7 million voters, in such turbulent times, one would expect nearly everyone to vote. This year, however, the turnout was the lowest ever-- around 68.5%-- a percentage that would make US politicos cheer, but one that has cast a shadow over the Israeli landscape. The people are frustrated and understandably unsure of what to do. Anecdotally, leaders speak of the 70 percent paradox: polls reveal that while around 70 percent want concessions for peace, 70 percent also support Ariel Sharon and his stance against concessions. As the old joke goes, "Two Jews, four opinions." Unfortunately, each citizen only gets one vote for the Knesset.
The style of elections is vastly different from the familiar US system. How different? Let me count the ways.
For one, there are 27 parties, each of whom has the potential to gain seats in the 120-member legislature. In order to get a single seat, a party need only get 1.5% of the vote. That's less than 50,000 votes this year. Ballot selection is on a party basis, with each offering a list of candidates which are chosen in blocs. The percentage of votes determines the number of seats the party receives, and who gets called upon by the President to form a government. If the leading party fails to create a working coalition within a month, the President can ask the next party in line to give it a shot.
Voting is by paper ballot, counted by hand. For protest voters, there's even a "None of the Above" box.
This year, the continued violence and economic doldrums put the leftist Labor party in a tail-spin. It didn't help that their chosen frontman Amran Mitzna, ex-general, ex-mayor of Haifa, was seen as weak on the Palestinian Question. Pollsters gleefully announced that any other candidate leading the Labor ticket would do better. It was a given he would be beat by Likud, the question was only by how badly. For Mitzna, it was day to take it on the chin. Labor had their worst showing in their history, getting voting mandates for only 19 seats, down from 25. Likud took 37, up from 19. The Shinui (Change) Party pulled an upset, doubling in popularity and gaining 15 seats. Shinui's main platform is reducing government support for the ultra-Orthodox -- a popular proposal. They've committed themselve to creating a secular government and promise not join a coalition inclusive of the Shas religious party.
