Israel's Election Frequency: An Exception or Part of a Global Trend?
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Israel is experiencing a high frequency of elections, but this is part of a broader global trend of political instability in Western democracies. While Israel has averaged elections every 2.5 years since 1996, placing it near the bottom of OECD nations, countries like Bulgaria, Spain, and Belgium have also seen numerous elections and government crises. A statistical factor related to government changes within existing Knessets further inflates Israel's perceived electoral count, making it an extreme example of a worldwide political shift.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's election frequency is high but reflects a global trend of political instability.
- Since 1996, Israel has held elections every 2.5 years on average, second only to Greece among OECD democracies.
- Several European countries, including Bulgaria and Spain, have also experienced numerous elections recently.
- A statistical quirk inflates Israel's government count compared to its Knesset elections.
- The perception of Israel's instability is amplified by recent consecutive elections since 2019.
While many Israelis feel their country experiences an unprecedented number of elections, an analysis suggests this perception, though containing a kernel of truth, is amplified by specific factors and reflects a broader global trend of political instability. The upcoming election for the 26th Knesset on October 27th marks the first time elections are held on their originally scheduled date since 1988, following 13 consecutive Knesset terms that dissolved prematurely. Since 1996, Israel has held elections on average every two and a half years, placing it second to last among OECD parliamentary democracies, ahead only of Greece.
However, this Israeli phenomenon is not unique. Many Western democracies have also experienced increasing political fragmentation and longer government formation periods, particularly since the 2008 global financial crisis. Examples include Bulgaria, which held seven elections between 2021 and 2024, Spain and Portugal, each with four elections in a four-year span, and the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, which each had three elections within a few years. Belgium stands out with prolonged periods without a government after the 2010 and 2019 elections.
The perception of Israel's exceptional instability is partly due to recent consecutive elections starting in 2019, which significantly lowered the average interval between votes. Additionally, a statistical quirk inflates the count: Israel is electing its 26th Knesset but has seen its 37th government. This discrepancy arises because, under Basic Law: The Government, the resignation or death of a prime minister is considered a change of government, leading to new governments within existing Knessets. This has occurred following the deaths of Eshkol and Rabin, and the resignations of Golda Meir and Menachem Begin, as well as the Peres-Shamir rotation.
In conclusion, while Israel's parliamentary stability ranking is not high, its recent electoral frequency is not an anomaly in the global context. It represents an extreme case of a widespread Western trend toward more fragmented and volatile politics. This understanding, while not solving Israel's domestic issues, offers perspective by showing that the country is not alone in experiencing such challenges.
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