Political Gridlock -- Israel
Anyone who likes proportional voting needs to pay close attention to Israel. With some 12 or so parties having seats in the Knesset, no one knows who the true winner will be -- and coalitions make for unstable governments. So, what we have is people wrangling for power and a resulting gridlock.
In this current election, it would appear that Kadima holds a 1 seat lead over right wing Likud. So, the question now is -- what's next. The king makers appear to be right wing parties like Yisrael Beitenu -- a nationalist party composed largely of Russian immigrants -- and the Sephardic Shas Party. One appears to be more nationalist and the other religious.
So, the question is what happens next?
And caught up in all of this is the Peace Process. Ironically it's the nearly fascist Yisrael Beitenu party that's more likely to back a 2 state solution than would Likud. So, elections have been held and no one knows what happens next.
Although it has its problems, I'm not sure I'm ready to abandon our 2 party system!!
Ultimately, however, the real question remains -- what will this do to and for the peace process? The results don't bode well, but only time, and some US pressure, will tell.
In this current election, it would appear that Kadima holds a 1 seat lead over right wing Likud. So, the question now is -- what's next. The king makers appear to be right wing parties like Yisrael Beitenu -- a nationalist party composed largely of Russian immigrants -- and the Sephardic Shas Party. One appears to be more nationalist and the other religious.
So, the question is what happens next?
And caught up in all of this is the Peace Process. Ironically it's the nearly fascist Yisrael Beitenu party that's more likely to back a 2 state solution than would Likud. So, elections have been held and no one knows what happens next.
Although it has its problems, I'm not sure I'm ready to abandon our 2 party system!!
Ultimately, however, the real question remains -- what will this do to and for the peace process? The results don't bode well, but only time, and some US pressure, will tell.
Comments
Finally, this isn't gridlock which refers to the inability to pass legislation. These kinds of close results are common in Israel. It will take a few weeks for either or the top two to form a coalition government.