Knesset Constitution Committee seeks reform of electoral system
Reform includes shift from proportional representation to mixed system, with some MKs elected by district.
By Shahar Ilan Tags: KnessetThe 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.
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.
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Knesset Constitution Committee Chairman Menahem Ben-Sasson attending a Knesset meeting in Jerusalem in May. (Tess Scheflan) |
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To reduce the power of the presidency slightly, 2/3 majority override is too high for Israel, this should be reduced to 60% for a Knesset override of a presidential veto. No More - no confidence votes No More - corrupt politicians hiding within the party. Of course the people could still elect them. unfortunately. the MK's would now be accountable to the PEOPLE and not the Party. It would be be appreciated if Haaretz got involved with this issue on a regular basis.
1. There are 120 Knesset members, the term for each Knesset member will be 6 years. 40 Knesset members are voted upon in elections every 2 years for a 6 year rotation. 2. The President with vice president has a 4 year term. 3. Of the 40 Knesset seats, 30 Knesset seats will be regional with a 2 term limit. 10 Knesset seats would be national with a 4 term limit for 24 years to prevent professional politicians. 4. The state would be divided into 12 regions. Each region does not need to be of equal size. Number of Knesset seats in each region will vary based upon population. Each person will vote for one Knesset member. the top candidates with the most votes will win the seat. The 10 national seats would be voted upon in a similar manner. Change will not happen if we allow the Cats to guard the milk. however, To get our corrupt MK's to support change we may need to allow a 6 year change over period. Continued........
There will be no change in government conduct what so ever, if we don't change the system. We need direct elections of all government officials. We can't allow the current party electoral system remain. It is corrupt to the bone. The MK's must be accountable to the people. But now they are only accountable to the Party. Hence all the corruption, of Omert, Negbe, etc. The media MUST push this process. It needs to be constantly discussed in all the newspapers, on TV, Radio, etc. Also The IDF is a closed boys club of overpaid, over pensioned armchair general who are more interested in their own financial gain than Israel's security. Generals, lt. generals become commanders, become IDF chief of General Staff, then leave the IDF for the political battlefield of Labor, Likud, Kadima or others. THE SYSTEM MUST BE CHANGED !!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF THE HAARETZ IS SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGE, LETS HAVE A ONGOING WEEKLY DISCUSSION FOR CHANGING THE SYSTEM.
"the proportional system, in which voters cast their ballots for a party rather than a specific candidate." So the individual voter doesn't get to choose his candidate? He has to vote for someone chosen by someone else. Sounds like the old system in the now defunct USSR. Guarantees that one party stays in office, regardless of whatever the voter wants. Great for parties. They don't have to please anyone except the party chiefs. When will you change the name of the Shin Bet to KGB? When Menahem Ben-Sasson decides to go democratic, I am sure he will let us know.