ABSTRACT
Recent electoral system reform has had a significant impact upon Israeli government, often characterized as among the world's more tumultuous democracies. The 12th Knesset (1988–1988) enacted a number of reforms in Israel's electoral system that first took effect with the May 1996 election for the 14th Knesset. The single most important change made by these reforms involved the direct election of Israel's prime minister independent of, but chosen at the same time as, the election of Israel's parliament. This essay illustrates the impact of these changes on the coming to power of Israel's youngest-ever prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, or – more specifically – on the process of coalition-formation in Israel.
