Retirees in Israel are 10% percent of the total population. On March, 28th they won 5.5% of the votes and 7 seats in the parliament – which makes them a significant political actor that will influence the Israeli policy in the next four years.
These surprising outcomes of the general elections to the parliament are the first (but not last) expression of the forming of « self identity » by the elder population. These people, now taking responsibity regarding their future, tired of relying on the youngsters to support and defend their interests.
In light of the increase in life expectancy, the decrease in
childbirths vis-à-vis with the steadily growing share of elder population out of the total western world population – we can foresee that this trend will only get stronger.
We believe that the impressive victory of the Israeli pensioner’s Party will repeat itself in other developed-western countries, and could become the most important political trend in the worldwide politics in the coming near years.
The author is the founder of club50 the leading organization
for people over 50 years old, in Israel. www.club50.co.il
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498757268&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter