Israeli Election

[Democratic Hawk]

How is the Knesset elected?

National list PR; % of votes = % of seats.

The most putrid of voting systems

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Yes, Peres has quit the Labour Party to campaign for Sharon's new centrist Kadima party although it is believed that he won't join it. In a Sharon-led government, he is set to responsible for development in Galilee and the Negev

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1359176

Peres said he was supporting Sharon because he had the best chance of restarting the peace process with the Palestinians

"This has not been an easy decision for me, but I found myself faced with the contradiction between the party of which I am a member, and the requirements of the political situation," Peres said.

"Without ignoring the deep connection that I have to the party's historical path and its members, I must prefer the more urgent and greater consideration … My party activity has come to an end."

However, the Labour Party (according to The Sunday Times ) announced they had secured 25,000 new members following Peretz's election as leader

Meanwhile, Likud seems to be on the brink of collapse http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3177094,00.html

Dave

P.S. I never knew that Peres is a first cousin of Lauren Bacall

[Democratic Hawk]

With 96% of the vote counted:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498755311&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Kadima 28

Labor 20

Shas 13

Israel Beitenu 12

Likud 11

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

With 96% of the vote counted:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498755311&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Kadima 28

Labor 20

Shas 13

Israel Beitenu 12

Likud 11

Dave

Don't forget the smaller parties - these are important.

Too important. I don't like the idea of mainstream parties being beholden to the fringe. I wonder what the results would be under FPTP (simple plurality)

Apparently, the major battle now is between Kadima and Labor as to who gets the Treasury

Dave