Israeli Elections - Less than a week to go

[Eli]

not only that. If the party that would get the most votes in the county will be able to nominate ALL of the county's reps, it might create a situation similar to German politics, 3-5 parties.

But this is Israel... There is no significant voting diversity in different regions, maybe except the territories.

[KrazyHorse]

Azazel has it right. Proportional rep. leads to a slew of minor parties, since they know that all they have to do is appeal to a small percentage of the country's voters. Geographic representation means that people have to stick together (or run as independents on local issues) in order to get any seats at all.

The US is bad because they only have two parties that are far too diverse in opinions. Israel is bad because it has far too many selfish parties.

[Az]

One wants to talk, one wants to fight. That's the difference

how is it so?!
Even meretz doesn't want to talk to afarat. They don't post it clearly in their agenda, but I was in a close-circle meeting with one of their members, and they say that they stopped believing in him.
Btw, Eli, he also said that Beilin is a complete moron.

Sharon on the other hand, has all the reasons to strive for peace. He does hold a personal grudge against Arafat, but he also wants to go down in history as a great PM. signing peace with the arabs is the only way to do it, since the economy is in the crapper, and there is no way to restart it without global growth, and/or a peaceful solution.

[KrazyHorse]

I was under the impression that meretz did want to talk, immediately.

Sharon has a grudge against Arafat, and that'll prevent any meaningful discussion while Arafat lasts (which is for the foreseeable future, so far as I can see).

[Az]

I was under the impression that meretz did want to talk, immediately.

yes, but not with arafat.
( once again, they don't say it loudly, but this is their forming opinion. Or that MK is lying, but politicans NEVER lie. )

[Edan]

Originally posted by Frogger
I was under the impression that meretz did want to talk, immediately.

I get the impression that Meretz changes what he says he'll do, day by day, in a last ditch attempt to fix a sinking boat. I don't predict he'll remain head of Labor for long, especially if he continues to be against a unity government with Likud, and especially, from what I've read, Labor would get about 10 more seats if a more electable person were heading it (like Peres). (Though the one idea I like of Mitzna's is withdrawing settlements from Gaza, as this seems to be a sensible way to avoid wasting resources)

BTW, I assume Peres doesn't still think talking with Arafat is worth it? I got the impression,, back when he was in the coalition, that he was the sole member that still thought talking with Arafat was worth a shot (no, not through the head), probably trying to hold on to his peace prize legacy.

[Az]

psst, Edan, meretz is a party. The leader of labor is Mitzna

[Edan]

Scenario 1: Lapid's Dream:
--------------------------------
Likud+Avoda+Shinui+IsraelBaAliya=33+19+16+4=72

Hasn't Avoda said they wouldn't join a government with Likud? Any possibility that the more leftwing relgious parties might join a government with Shinui?

Scenario 2: Rightwing/Religious:
----------------------------------------
Likud+Shas+YahadutHaTorah+Mafdal+NationalUnion+Sha
s+IsraelBaAliya=

I count Shas twice.

Scenario 3:The President Has gone Bananas:

[Edan]

Originally posted by Azazel
psst, Edan, meretz is a party. The leader of labor is Mitzna

Oops

[Panag]

Originally posted by Frogger
I was under the impression that meretz did want to talk, immediately.

Sharon has a grudge against Arafat, and that'll prevent any meaningful discussion while Arafat lasts (which is for the foreseeable future, so far as I can see).

hi ,

if he really had a grudge he would have terminated him ages ago , ......

what really puts a hold on any meaningfull talk is yasser himself , and please keep this on topic , not OT

have a nice day

[Panag]

hi ,

so are we all going to team up with a pizza in front of the tube

have a nice day



pssst , anyone wants to place a bet

[Andrew1999]

Does Avoda=Labor?

Seems to me like Labor+Shinui would be a good combination, but I guess there aren't enough smaller parties for them to pull it off.

[Az]

I am not. remember, I am one of the guys that count the votes.

[Az]

There are, but they're tad too extreme.

[Edan]

Originally posted by Andrew1999
Does Avoda=Labor?

Yes.