Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., November 09, 2007 Cheshvan 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:21 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

Knesset Constitution Committee Chairman Menahem Ben-Sasson attending a Knesset meeting in Jerusalem in May. (Tess Scheflan) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 02:56 09/11/2007 Knesset Constitution Committee seeks reform of electoral system By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent tags: Knesset, electoral system  The Knesset Constitution Committee will soon begin discussing a shift from straight proportional representation to a mixed system in which some Knesset members are elected via districts, according to committee chairman Menahem Ben-Sasson (Kadima). Ben-Sasson said he would begin hearings on this issue once an initial package of governmental reforms passes its first reading. These measures are due to be brought for a vote in the coming weeks, once the coalition reaches a consensus on them. Such a consensus is required because most of the measures involve amending Basic Laws, and the coalition agreements state that Basic Laws cannot be amended without the consent of all coalition parties. Advertisement Last winter, the Magidor Committee on governmental reform recommended that half of all MKs be elected by district. Ben-Sasson is proposing a more modest reform in which only a quarter of the Knesset, or 30 MKs, would be elected regionally. His proposal also stipulates that the total number of MKs per party will continue to be determined by the proportional system, in which voters cast their ballots for a party rather than a specific candidate. In this way, small parties will not suffer from the reform. The initial package of reforms that Ben-Sasson's committee has already approved comprises six bills: * The so-called Norwegian Law, which would require all ministers and deputy ministers except party chairs to resign from the Knesset and be replaced by the next person on their party's list. This is meant to ensure that the Knesset always has about 110 functioning MKs. Currently, about one-quarter of all MKs are unavailable for parliamentary work because they are serving as ministers or deputy ministers. It would also enable ministers to devote more time to their jobs, as they would not need to keep running to the Knesset for votes. The bill would cost an estimated NIS 25 million a year. * A bill stipulating that the head of the largest party will automatically be given first crack at forming a government. This would encourage people to vote for major parties rather than small ones, increasing the size of the big parties. That in turn would reduce their dependence on small coalition partners, making it easier for them to govern. * A reform of the budget process under which the government would have to submit a general economic plan to the Knesset by the end of April and the full budget by the beginning of September. The budget would also have to be published a month before the cabinet votes on it. The Economic Arrangements Bill accompanying the budget, which traditionally includes legislation required by the budget's provisions plus various economic reforms, would be banned, except during economic crises. In addition, the Knesset would automatically be dissolved should it fail to approve the budget by the end of the year. * A bill raising the electoral threshold, or the number of votes a party needs to enter the Knesset, from 2 to 2.5 percent of the total valid votes cast. * A bill allowing ministerial powers to be delegated to deputy ministers. * A bill requiring the prime minister to designate a vice premier to replace him if he is incapacitated, and detailing the situations in which the vice premier should take the reins. While Ben-Sasson believes that these reforms will improve the functioning of both the government and the Knesset, not everyone agrees. For instance, Likud faction chairman Gideon Sa'ar argued that the Norwegian Law would make it harder for governments to pass legislation because while ministers and deputy ministers always vote with the government, ordinary MKs are often less disciplined. Related articles: Government reform / Haaretz review: Israel's ministers last just 16 months Knesset panel okays proposal to raise election threshold to 2.5 percent Shas outlines laundry list of government reforms Bookmark to del.icio.us Preface to peace? The U.S. has rejected Abbas' demand for a schedule for the final-status agreement. Crowd control The IFA has banned Beitar Jerusalem fans from two home games for booing Rabin.   1.   Constitution??? 05:24  |  Jim 09/11/07   2.   WE NEED DIRECT ELECTIONS OF ALL MK`S-1 10:15  |  Gary 09/11/07   3.   Concept of the Israeli Presidential System. part1 10:16  |  Gary 09/11/07   4.   WE NEED DIRECT ELECTIONS OF ALL MK`S part2 10:17  |  Gary 09/11/07

Today Online Jessica Balaban: Why should world Jewry aid Israeli Arabs Responses: 9 Jacob Victor: Mukasey is the latest victim of the malaise of U.S. Jewish leadership Responses: 1 Israel, PA agree future deals conditional on carrying out road map Responses: 20 Israel seeks fresh Holocaust reparations deal with Germany Responses: 7 M. Firillas: Pakistan turmoil raises specter of an Islamic bomb Responses: 4 Rosner's Domain * The 2008 candidates and the lies of "change" * Short of confronting Damascus, options are limited (WTR) * Rosner's Guest: Let's create a women's Talmud * Does Ron Paul single out Israel? More Headlines 09:41 Israel, PA agree future deals hinge on implementing road map 02:56 Knesset Constitution Committee seeks reform of electoral system 09:25 Israeli envoy to U.K. Zvi Heifetz likely to advise Blair on Mideast 05:02 Aide to Spanish PM: Spain seeks to improve relations with Israel 10:02 Israel seeks fresh Holocaust reparations deal with Germany 09:11 Fellow journalists to honor Haaretz commentator Yoel Marcus in Eilat 10:12 Pakistani police place ex-PM Bhutto under house arrest to halt rally 08:13 T.A. threatens to sue electric company for bridge over power plant 04:13 Tottenham defeats Hapoel Tel Aviv in UEFA Cup match 23:06 UN Chief orders full probe of rocket launching from school in Gaza 23:44 Barak and Olmert meet face-to-face to level working tensions Previous Editions Select Day 08 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 26 oct

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