Israel's 'Double Envelope' Vote Review May Benefit Netanyahu's Bloc

(Adnkronos) - More than 600,000 votes cast by voters using the 'double envelope' system remain to be counted, corresponding to 15 seats in the Knesset. These mainly include diplomats abroad, reservists, soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, students, and young people working in remote areas, as well as election officials. The bloc led by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may benefit from the 'double envelope' system, as explained by Asaf Shapira, director of the Institute for Political Reform at the Israel Democracy Institute. "From past experience, double envelopes can change the distribution of mandates within parties, but in terms of the bloc, those who usually benefit are the religious right parties," he explained. "According to a cautious estimate, we may see an increase in mandates in favor of Netanyahu's bloc," said the analyst.

(Adnkronos) - The review of over 600,000 votes cast using the 'double envelope' system is still planned, which corresponds to 15 seats in the Knesset. These include mainly diplomats abroad, reservists, IDF soldiers, students, as well as young people working from remote locations and election staff. According to Asaf Shapira, director of the Institute for Political Reform at the Israel Democracy Institute, the 'double envelope' system could benefit Netanyahu's bloc. 'Based on past experience, the double envelope system could change the distribution of seats within the party, but from the bloc's perspective, the usual beneficiaries are religious right-wing parties,' he explained. 'If evaluated carefully, there may be an increase in seats favorable to Netanyahu's bloc,' the analyst said.