Netanyahu Lawyer Withdraws Bid for State Comptroller Post
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Michael Rabilo, a candidate for State Comptroller and former lawyer for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has withdrawn his candidacy. This comes after the Supreme Court annulled the previous election and ahead of new Knesset elections on November 10. Rabilo cited the coalition's weakened majority as a factor in his decision, while the coalition reportedly favors retired judge Yosef Elron. The previous election in June was marred by procedural disputes and ultimately invalidated by the court.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Michael Rabilo withdrew his candidacy for State Comptroller, citing diminished chances.
- The previous election for State Comptroller was annulled by the Supreme Court.
- New elections for State Comptroller are expected after the next Knesset is sworn in on November 10.
- Rabilo was a candidate supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Retired judge Yosef Elron is now seen as a stronger contender for the post.
- The previous election was controversial due to procedural violations.
Michael Rabilo, a Likud candidate for State Comptroller and former personal lawyer to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has withdrawn his candidacy for the position ahead of new elections expected after the swearing-in of the next Knesset. Rabilo reportedly believes his chances of winning have diminished due to the coalition's loss of its majority. The coalition, meanwhile, is reportedly hesitant to oppose retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron, whose prospects for election are now considered significantly higher. Elron, who had opposition support in June, is seen by the coalition as a preferable candidate to any new nominee from the bloc that now holds a majority.
In June, the Knesset held an election for State Comptroller where Rabilo received 61 votes and Elron received 57. The election was contentious, with Elron initially receiving 60 votes in the first round, falling short of the 61 needed to win. Rabilo secured 57 votes, keeping his chances alive. A total of 118 lawmakers voted, with one casting a blank ballot and two, Meir Porush and Eli Dalal, absent despite having previously supported Elron. This indicated some coalition members voted against Netanyahu's recommended candidate.
Despite Likud denying any directive to photograph ballots, the Knesset's legal advisor deemed the act contrary to procedure. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also opposed the practice. However, Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi and the head of the Knesset Finance Committee photographed their ballots with Rabilo's name and shared them on social media, drawing protests from the opposition who called for the election results to be invalidated.
On July 2, the Supreme Court (Bagatz) annulled Rabilo's election. On July 8, the Knesset's legal advisor informed Speaker Ohana that a repeat vote was necessary. New elections were not held due to the dissolution of the 25th Knesset. The next Knesset, to be sworn in on November 10, will be responsible for electing the State Comptroller.
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