Direct elections begin with the Likud primary

The party must take the lead in reforming the electoral system.

By NATHAN D. WIRTSCHAFTER
binyamin netanyahu 88 29 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
binyamin netanyahu 88 29
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Recent news stories concerning the Likud's upcoming primary reveal a split between party chairman Binyamin Netanyahu's office and Likud MKs. Netanyahu's office has outlined a plan to reserve every other spot on the Likud list for distinguished outsiders, while the MKs seek to preserve the status quo of electing the list nationally. While both plans have a certain merit, neither will bring the Likud the 40+ seats it seeks in the next Knesset. The Likud must be the party of change, and should aim to replace Israel's flawed system of government with a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Until it acts, the government will continue to be of, by and for the inept, the inexperienced and the corrupt. The Likud should organize its primary around several initiatives to implement reform within the party. With electoral reform as the centerpiece of its domestic agenda, the Likud will deservedly win a large victory at the polls. THE LIKUD should elect half its slate of MKs from regional districts so every Israeli may have a Likud MK in the upcoming Knesset who is accountable to local constituents. This would be merely a half step on the way to direct election of 50 percent of the Knesset members. Nevertheless, in taking this half step, the Likud will demonstrate its commitment to resolve the most important crisis facing Israel: bad government. By placing regional candidates on the list, the Likud will allow local leaders - among them mayors with executive experience - to serve in the Knesset. The participation of regional leaders will energize support for the Likud in the national election. Competition will increase party membership and enthusiasm. Local leaders will get out the vote. The Likud should divide the country into 20 regional districts and utilize local primaries for selecting one candidate on its list from each. The other half of the Likud's list - some 20 candidates - should be elected nationally. The national half should be elected by all Likud members, with no appointments allowed. The Likud has many fine leaders with national credentials, and party members should each be allowed to vote for five to 15 candidates. Accordingly, the Likud's list will be assembled with Netanyahu in the top spot, followed by the regional candidate who received the most votes, followed by the national candidate who received the most votes, and so on. (The lower part of the list is primarily ceremonial, and should be treated as such.) The Likud must make it abundantly clear before its primary that Netanyahu, if elected prime minister, will select his cabinet based not according to position on the Likud list but according to the skills, training and experience of the prospective minister. By giving the prospective prime minister full authority to select his cabinet (including cabinet members who are not MKs), the Likud will clearly reinforce its commitment to fix the government. The Likud should also announce that it intends to make meaningful changes to Israel's system of government: regional elections with single-member districts, a professional cabinet and a new judicial selection process, among others. Ideally, these reforms will be the first items on any Likud coalition agreement, to be approved within the first 90 days of the new government. Some in the Likud argue for a type of regional election, with several candidates selected from an area of the country. While this is not the best choice, it is certainly preferable to either a completely national list or a national list diluted with appointees. The Likud must present Israelis with a choice between business-as-usual and real change. Now is the time. The Likud must lead. The writer, a Likud member, lives in Hashmonaim.