Israel opposition considers direct prime ministerial elections

Parties within Israel’s opposition bloc are considering legislation to introduce direct elections for the prime minister. The move aims to break the current political deadlock following an election where neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition secured a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

The proposal would allow voters to elect the prime minister separately from the government, potentially enabling a winner to form a minority government without a Knesset majority. However, implementing this would require amending the Basic Law: The Government, which currently necessitates a vote of confidence from the Knesset. Such an amendment would require the support of at least 61 lawmakers.

Separately, demonstrations are planned across several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheba, Haifa, and Tayibe. Organized by the Standing Together group, these rallies aim to support the formation of a Jewish-Arab government led by the opposition’s change bloc.