Israeli Democracy Institute Head Proposes Government Formation Without 61-Seat Majority

The president of the Israel Democracy Institute, Yohanan Plesner, suggested a new mechanism for forming governments in Israel, proposing that a government could be sworn in even without a majority of 61 Knesset members. Speaking at a conference hosted by ynet and Yediot Ahronot in collaboration with the institute, Plesner argued that the Israeli society needs a government capable of moving forward.

He explained that under the current system, a government requires the explicit support of 61 Knesset members to be sworn in. Plesner suggested that instead of aiming for the largest possible majority, the focus should be on ensuring a government is formed after elections, regardless of the exact number of supporting MKs. He clarified that this does not necessarily mean a minority government, but rather a system that guarantees a decision is made and a government is established.

Plesner believes that if all political actors know that a government can be formed without the need for a 61-seat majority, coalition demands might become more flexible. This, he posited, could lead to more stable and functional governments by reducing the leverage of small parties seeking disproportionate concessions.