The Labor Party scored a victory when the Knesset voted 59-45 Wednesday in favor of its proposal to hold separate national and municipal elections.
Israelis have always voted concurrently for Knesset lists and local lists. This year they will cast ballots for the next Knesset on Nov. 1 when the term of the present Knesset expires, but will vote for mayors and town council members six months later.
Labor politicians believe separate elections will be to their party’s advantage by allowing voters to concentrate on national issues. Likud opposed the idea, but was unable to get its rightwing allies to oppose Labor’s move.
Likud’s initiative to advance the date of the Knesset elections also seems to be going nowhere.
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