This time on the morning after, there will be an opportunity that will not repeat itself to change the system for electing Israel's government.
Otherwise, even before these Knesset elections are over, we will start the campaign for elections for the 19th Knesset, which will take place in another two or three years.
Otherwise, we will again have a government that is unable to govern.
Once more we will see the scenarios that we are fed up with of fragmented coalitions, the blackmail by the smaller parties and ministers unfit for their posts, who even before they understand and learn about their ministries, are moved onto another job, or into the opposition.
The way that the political map looks, and according to the polls, the combined forces of the Likud, Labor, Kadima and Lieberman could lead the Knesset by a large majority in a government legislative reform that will push up the ability to run, and the quality of managing, the State to new heights. There is an opportunity here that will perhaps never come again, to rise above personal and party interests and implement reform in the system of electing the Knesset and the ability of the government to govern.
At the heart of the reform will be a number of significant changes: a move to regional elections, or a mixed method, as in many European countries. Such a change would ensure the election of quality MKs who will stand for election directly by the public. The experience of mayors being directly elected by residents has seen the quality of city management rise significantly. MKs will be obliged to prove their success to the public at large rather than party wheeler-dealers. It should be fixed in law that the leader of the largest party will form the government, for four years, without almost any possibility of bringing it down, except by a majority 80 MKs out of 120 MKs, or impeachment of the prime minister. This will ensure stability and the ability of the government to govern.
The appointment of key government positions such as the minister of defense and the minister of finance will be professional appointments by the prime minister. Those who serve in those positions will not be those who stood for the Knesset or were elected by a party, but quality people from the business sector or outside the political machinery who will contribute from their experiences and abilities to manage the State.
The bitter experience of the way our political system is managed together with the lessons learned about the management of the global economy in light of the crisis can yield reforms that promote good, experienced and quality people that are mobilized to contribute to political and public life and manage the country. We and our children will profit from such a change.
Dani Naveh is chairman of the Agate Investment Fund and a former Minister of Health.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 9, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009