Likud Prepares Plan to Oust Lapid as Knesset Speaker
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Likud party is reportedly preparing legislation to lower the threshold for removing a Knesset Speaker, a move seen as a strategy to potentially oust Yair Lapid if he is appointed to the role. This plan aims to keep the door open for forming a unity government. Meanwhile, opposition leaders agreed to remove the current Speaker, Amir Ohana, but could not decide on a successor. President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with elected factions following the official election results, with a new poll showing a divided public opinion on the next government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud plans legislation to lower the threshold for removing the Knesset Speaker.
- The move is seen as a strategy to potentially oust Yair Lapid if appointed Speaker.
- Opposition leaders agreed to remove current Speaker Amir Ohana but not on a successor.
- President Herzog will begin coalition consultations with elected factions this week.
- A new poll shows 34% of Israelis favor new elections, 34% a Netanyahu unity government.
The Likud party is reportedly developing a contingency plan aimed at preserving the possibility of forming a unity government, even if Yair Lapid is appointed Knesset Speaker. According to a report by Amihai Yarhi on i24NEWS, this plan involves proposing legislation to lower the required majority for removing a Knesset Speaker. This would enable Lapid's removal should later agreements be reached with Gadi Eisenkot and an expanded unity bloc.
The move comes amid heightened political tensions following the recent election results, which left the current coalition with only 53 seats compared to the opposition's 48. While the incumbent Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, intends to honor the opposition bloc's request for a vote on a new speaker, he will not schedule it for the Knesset's swearing-in day. The vote is planned for a week later, a timeframe Likud views as crucial for attempting to forge agreements with the opposition.
Likud fears that Lapid's appointment as Speaker would dominate the legislative agenda and effectively end prospects for a unity government. To circumvent this, Likud plans to introduce a bill to change the threshold for removing the Speaker. Such a legislative maneuver, similar to one previously drafted by the outgoing "change government" in the 2024 Knesset, could provide a legal precedent for Likud's proposed legislation.
Meanwhile, a meeting of opposition bloc leaders concluded with only partial agreement. They resolved to seek the removal of current Speaker Amir Ohana but failed to agree on a successor. Participants included Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and Yair Lapid. If Gadi Eisenkot receives the mandate to form a government, he is expected to control the Arrangements Committee and the Speaker position. However, his partners are hesitant to concentrate power and cite the lack of parliamentary experience within the "Yashar!" faction as a reason for their preference for Lapid.
President Isaac Herzog is set to receive the official election results from Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Solberg and will commence consultations with all elected factions. In an unusual move, Herzog will begin these consultations with smaller factions, in ascending order of their mandate numbers. A new poll indicates a divided public, with 34% favoring new elections and an equal percentage supporting a Netanyahu-led unity government. Only 16% support a minority government led by Eisenkot, and 14% prefer a unity government under his leadership. The poll also reveals strong opposition, 74%, to a minority government led by Eisenkot relying on Arab parties.
Mentioned
