2011 Israeli Labor Party leadership election

2011 Israeli Labor Party leadership election

12–21 September 2011 (2011-09-12 – 2011-09-21)

Candidate Shelly Yachimovich Amir Peretz Popular Vote 22,299 18,769 Percentage 54.5% 45.5%

Leader before election Ehud Barak Elected Leader Shelly Yachimovich

Following the departure of Ehud Barak from the membership and leadership of the Israeli Labor Party, a leadership election was called.

Election rules

Leadership elections in the Israeli Labor Party happen in a two round vote, with the two leading candidates from the first round advancing into a run-off. If a candidate wins over 40% of the vote in the first round, he wins automatically and the second round is cancelled.

Candidates

4 Candidates ran for Labor leadership in this election:

• Shelly Yachimovich, Labor MK and former journalist.
• Amir Peretz, Labor MK and former party leader and Minister of Defense.
• Isaac Herzog, Labor MK and former Minister of Welfare and Social Services
• Amram Mitzna, Labor MK and former party leader and former mayor of Haifa and Yerhuam.

Results

Candidate		First round		Second round
		Votes	%	Votes	%
Turnout: 65%				61%
	Shelly YachimovichY	14,003	32%	22,299	54.5%
	Amir Peretz	13,566	31%	18,769	45.5%
	Isaac Herzog	10,940	25%
	Amram Mitzna	5,251	12%
	Total	43,760	N/A	41,068	N/A

Yachimovich was thus elected leader of the party, becoming the second female leader of the party since Golda Meir, who was elected leader of Mapai in 1969 and automatically became leader of the Labor Party upon the merger of Mapai with Rafi and Ahdut HaAvoda.