Prof. Michael (Miki) Erlich: From Democratic Decision to Democratic Consensus

Prof. Michael Erlich proposes a constitutional reform requiring a 60% majority in the Knesset for forming a government and legislation, aiming to create stable coalitions and moderate extremists. The government could serve at most one year without such a majority, and the Supreme Court could strike down a law only with the consent of 75% of its justices.

Prof. Michael (Miki) Erlich, in an opinion piece for Israel Hayom, proposes a constitutional reform that would require a 60% majority of Knesset members to form a government, pass primary legislation, and file a no-confidence motion. According to him, this move would force center-right and center-left parties to unite into stable coalitions, moderate extremist parties, and reduce social rifts. He suggests that a government failing to achieve 60% could serve at most one year. Additionally, the Supreme Court could strike down a law only with the consent of three-quarters of its justices. Erlich, a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, admits the proposal is not perfect but argues it would neutralize the sense of 'state theft' felt by half the public.