Democratic Choice
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Choice was a minor political party in Israel
headed by Roman Bronfman
.
and Alexander Tzinker
broke away from Yisrael BaAliyah. At first, the party had no name, and was recorded as the Parliamentary Group of Bronfman and Tzinker in the Knesset, but after six days a name was approved by the Knesset committee: Mahar , literally Tomorrow, but also an acronym for Mifleget Hevra veReformot . Three months later the party's name was changed, this time settling upon Democratic Choice.
On 24 November 2002, in the run-up to the 2003 elections, Bronfman decided to run as part of a joint list with Meretz and Yossi Beilin
's Shahar movement, with the Democratic Choice guaranteed fifth place on the party's list. However, Tzinker, who did not share Bronfman's social-democratic
ideology, quit the faction and founded an independent party, Citizen and State
. Although Meretz received criticism for its decision to unite with Bronfman given his support for Jörg Haider
's far-right Freedom Party
, the merger was reported to have given Meretz almost enough votes from new immigrants for an extra two seats. In the elections the joint list won six seats, with Bronfman retaining his place in the Knesset
. Tzinker's party won just 1,566 votes, well below the 44,750 vote qualifying threshold. The Democratic Choice also won seats on municipal councils, including that of Haifa
.
When Meretz and Shahar decided to unite into one party, Meretz-Yachad
, in 2004 during the 16th Knesset, the Democratic Choice chose not to join, though it did remain as part of a united faction with the new party.
Prior to the 2006 elections Bronfman announced that the party would run independently on the basis that the alliance with Meretz was costing him votes in the Russian sector. In January 2006 Bronfman held discussions with Avraham Poraz
about a mass defection of Shinui
MKs (who were unhappy with the surprising results of the party's primary elections) to the Democratic Choice. However, the talks came to nothing and Poraz ended up founding Hetz
.
Two months before the elections the party withdrew its candidacy, with Bronfman deciding not to run in the election. The party also did not run in the 2009 elections
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
headed by Roman Bronfman
Roman Bronfman
Dr Roman Bronfman is a left wing Israeli politician. He was born in the Soviet Union, and immigrated to Israel in 1980. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Before entering politics, he was a lecturer and journalist....
.
Background
The party was formed in July 1999 during the 15th Knesset when Roman BronfmanRoman Bronfman
Dr Roman Bronfman is a left wing Israeli politician. He was born in the Soviet Union, and immigrated to Israel in 1980. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Before entering politics, he was a lecturer and journalist....
and Alexander Tzinker
Alexander Tzinker
Dr Alexander "Sasha" Tsinker is a former Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Yisrael BaAliyah and the Democratic Choice between 1999 and 2003.-Biography:...
broke away from Yisrael BaAliyah. At first, the party had no name, and was recorded as the Parliamentary Group of Bronfman and Tzinker in the Knesset, but after six days a name was approved by the Knesset committee: Mahar , literally Tomorrow, but also an acronym for Mifleget Hevra veReformot . Three months later the party's name was changed, this time settling upon Democratic Choice.
On 24 November 2002, in the run-up to the 2003 elections, Bronfman decided to run as part of a joint list with Meretz and Yossi Beilin
Yossi Beilin
Dr. Yosef "Yossi" Beilin is a left-wing Israeli politician and a former Knesset member, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister and Justice Minister, representing both the Labor Party and Meretz-Yachad, of which he served as chairman between 2003 and 2006. He is best known for his involvement with the...
's Shahar movement, with the Democratic Choice guaranteed fifth place on the party's list. However, Tzinker, who did not share Bronfman's social-democratic
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
ideology, quit the faction and founded an independent party, Citizen and State
Hetz (political party)
Hetz was a secularist political party in Israel.-Background and ideology:Hetz was formed in the aftermath of the breakup of Shinui towards the end of the 16th Knesset...
. Although Meretz received criticism for its decision to unite with Bronfman given his support for Jörg Haider
Jörg Haider
Jörg Haider was an Austrian politician. He was Governor of Carinthia on two occasions, the long-time leader of the Austrian Freedom Party and later Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Austria , a breakaway party from the FPÖ.Haider was controversial within Austria and abroad for comments...
's far-right Freedom Party
Freedom Party of Austria
The Freedom Party of Austria is a political party in Austria. Ideologically, the party is a direct descendant of the German national liberal camp, which dates back to the 1848 revolutions. The FPÖ itself was founded in 1956 as the successor to the short-lived Federation of Independents , which had...
, the merger was reported to have given Meretz almost enough votes from new immigrants for an extra two seats. In the elections the joint list won six seats, with Bronfman retaining his place in the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
. Tzinker's party won just 1,566 votes, well below the 44,750 vote qualifying threshold. The Democratic Choice also won seats on municipal councils, including that of Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
.
When Meretz and Shahar decided to unite into one party, Meretz-Yachad
Meretz-Yachad
New Movement-Meretz , previously known as Meretz, then Yachad, and then Meretz-Yachad is a left-wing, Zionist, social democratic political party in Israel....
, in 2004 during the 16th Knesset, the Democratic Choice chose not to join, though it did remain as part of a united faction with the new party.
Prior to the 2006 elections Bronfman announced that the party would run independently on the basis that the alliance with Meretz was costing him votes in the Russian sector. In January 2006 Bronfman held discussions with Avraham Poraz
Avraham Poraz
Avraham Poraz is an Israeli lawyer and former politician.- Biography :Poraz was born in Bucharest, Romania in 1945 and immigrated to Israel in 1950...
about a mass defection of Shinui
Shinui
Shinui is a Zionist, secular and anti-clerical free market liberal party and political movement in Israel. The party twice became the third largest in the Knesset, but both occasions were followed by a split and collapse; in 1977 the party won 15 seats as part of the Democratic Movement for...
MKs (who were unhappy with the surprising results of the party's primary elections) to the Democratic Choice. However, the talks came to nothing and Poraz ended up founding Hetz
Hetz
Hetz is a Hebrew word meaning arrow. It can refer to several things:* The Israeli Arrow missile defense system* The Israeli M111 Hetz * Hetz , a...
.
Two months before the elections the party withdrew its candidacy, with Bronfman deciding not to run in the election. The party also did not run in the 2009 elections
Israeli legislative election, 2009
Elections for the 18th Knesset were held in Israel on 10 February 2009. These elections became necessary due to the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima party, and the failure of his successor, Tzipi Livni, to form a coalition government...
.