Likud takes a pounding in apathetic local elections

[Aidoneus]

sort of a good news/bad news story, thought it interesting..

Likud takes a pounding in apathetic local elections
By Haaretz Staff

Ramat Gan Mayor Zvi Bar, Herzliya Mayor Yael German, and Be'er Sheva Mayor Ya'akov Terner all easily defeated Likud opponents yesterday in nationwide municipal elections notable mainly for unprecedented voter apathy.

From Eilat to Metulla, Israelis stayed away in droves, according to exit polls and preliminary results trickling in last night from 5,705 polling stations across the country. Mayoral candidates needed at least 40 percent of the vote to win - failing that, the two top contenders will run off in later votes.

--snip--

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/354849.html

[tinnypriv]

1. Weird

Ma'ariv's report was that "both" main parties were essentially satisfied with the results. :shrug:

[The Magistrate]

2. Perhaps A Straw In A Good Wind, My Friend

[IndianaGreen]

3. A lack of confidence in the nation's political process

The same thing that has been ailing America for quite some time seems to have reached Israel. A significant number of her citizens feel that the political system no longer represents their views but that of special interests, so they just dropout of the process altogether.

I am curious to find out if this apathy is matched by increased numbers of Israelis moving out of the country.

[Adalah]

4. Any indication

that suppport for Sharon or Arafat is weakening is welcome news.