Is a Presidential System the Solution to Israel's Political Gridlock?
Strategic advisor Yitzhak Zivan proposes transitioning Israel to a presidential model similar to France, where an executive president is directly elected in two rounds and is not dependent on the Knesset's confidence. According to him,…
Assessment
Strategic adviser Yitzhak Zivan is reviving the old debate about switching to a presidential system, using France as his model. The core argument is that a directly elected executive president, independent of Knesset confidence, would end coalition blackmail and government instability. What makes this proposal notable is its packaging: it pairs presidentialism with lowering the electoral threshold and giving the Knesset control over Supreme Court appointments. That combination signals a political trade, not just a governance reform. Watch whether this gains traction with coalition members frustrated by the current gridlock, or remains a think piece.