Ex-Minister Shalom Warns of Opposition's Plan to Control Knesset Agenda
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Former Minister Silvan Shalom warned that if the opposition secures a 61-seat majority with Arab parties, their first move would be to elect a Knesset Speaker. He stated that Avigdor Lieberman would join them only if offered the Speakership. Shalom explained that controlling the Knesset Speaker position would allow the opposition to advance legislation, including establishing state inquiry commissions directly through the Knesset, bypassing the government's current authority.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Minister Silvan Shalom warned of the opposition's plan to secure a Knesset majority with Arab parties.
- Shalom stated Avigdor Lieberman would join the opposition bloc if promised the Knesset Speaker position.
- Controlling the Knesset Speakership is key to setting the legislative agenda, according to Shalom.
- The opposition aims to pass a law allowing the Knesset to establish state inquiry commissions.
- This move would bypass the government's current exclusive authority to form such commissions.
Former Minister Silvan Shalom has issued a warning regarding potential political scenarios following the upcoming elections, particularly focusing on the opposition's ability to secure a parliamentary majority with the support of Arab parties. Speaking on "Yoman Ha'erev" with Doron Cohen on Radio Galey Israel, Shalom outlined the opposition's likely first move should they achieve a 61-seat majority: electing a Knesset Speaker. He stated that Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, would only join such a bloc if he were promised the position of Knesset Speaker. Shalom emphasized that controlling the Knesset Speakership is not merely symbolic but a crucial tool for shaping legislative priorities and advancing significant measures against the right-wing bloc. He explained that a Speaker aligned with the opposition could enable the passage of desired legislation, including laws establishing state inquiry commissions. Shalom detailed the opposition's proposed legal mechanism to bypass the government's authority in forming such commissions. Currently, only the government can establish a state inquiry commission. However, with a majority and their own Speaker, the opposition plans to pass a law granting the Knesset itself the power to establish these commissions.
