Lieberman Confirms Plan to Replace Knesset Speaker, Pass "Accused Law"
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Avigdor Lieberman confirmed a plan by left-wing and centrist parties to replace the Knesset Speaker and pass the "Accused Law" to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government. The "Accused Law" would prevent an indicted individual from being tasked with forming a government. Right-wing parties condemned the move as a "governmental coup" and an attempt to bypass voter will.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman confirmed a plan to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and pass the "Accused Law."
- The "Accused Law" would prevent an indicted individual from being tasked with forming a government.
- The move aims to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government, even with a right-wing majority.
- The plan involves leveraging a potential 61-seat majority with Arab parties.
- Right-wing parties called the plan a "governmental coup" and an attempt to "cancel democracy."
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, confirmed reports that a bloc of left-wing and centrist parties is planning a dramatic move to prevent Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government, even if the right-wing bloc wins the upcoming elections. The plan, if the Knesset convenes for its 26th session after the elections, involves leveraging a potential 61-seat majority, possibly with Arab parties, to enact two swift measures before a government is formed.
The first step would be to oust the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, and elect a new speaker from the opposition. This is described as an unprecedented move, as such changes typically occur after a coalition is established.
The second, more significant measure, would be the immediate passage of the "Accused Law" in three readings. This law, intended to be a Basic Law, would stipulate that the President cannot task a Knesset member who has been indicted with forming a government. This would effectively prevent the President from assigning the mandate to Netanyahu, even if his bloc secures a majority.
Lieberman stated unequivocally, "We must remove Bibi. Immediately upon the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset, we will act to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and elect a new Knesset Speaker. After that, we will pass the 'Accused Law' in three readings, and that's the end of the story."
The announcement sparked immediate political controversy. Speaker Ohana sharply criticized Lieberman, accusing him of publicly admitting to cooperating with Arab parties to form a government and orchestrating a "governmental coup" that bypasses the will of the voters. Likud and other right-wing parties condemned the plan as an attempt to "cancel democracy" and change the rules retroactively through personal legislation to prevent Netanyahu from serving, despite current law allowing an indicted individual to serve as prime minister until a final verdict.
