ELECTIONS?

Less than one week after the Knesset approved an initial reading of a bill to hold early elections, politicians are having second thoughts. Representatives of the Likud and Labor parties have publicly stated that they are preparing for an election campaign, but are reported to have secretly renewed negotiations for a national unity government. In addition, the Shas and Shinui parties are reconsidering their support for the early elections bill because of attempts by the larger parties to repeal the direct election law where voters place one vote for Prime Minister and one for Knesset party. The smaller parties are worried that a return to the old system of elections, where voters place only one ballot for Knesset party, would weaken their electoral power and have reportedly made their continued support for the early elections bill contingent on leaving the current system in tact. Proposals must pass three readings in the Knesset plenum in order to become law, and the current measure to disband the parliament needs a special majority of at least 61 members.

  

Daily Report

• ELECTIONS?
  
• DRAFT EXEMPTION ENDS
  
• CONTROVERSIAL JUDGE
  

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