Bennett Enters Race for Knesset Speaker Amidst Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Naftali Bennett is reportedly seeking the Knesset Speaker position for his party or a compromise candidate, adding to the contest for the role. This comes after opposition from Yisrael Beiteinu to Yair Lapid's candidacy and disagreements among the change bloc leaders. Bennett has not yet backed Lapid, and his party denies the Speaker position was discussed in negotiations. The change bloc aims to replace the current Speaker, Amir Ohana, to influence the Knesset's agenda.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett is reportedly seeking the Knesset Speaker role for his party or a compromise candidate.
- Yisrael Beiteinu opposes Yair Lapid's potential appointment as Knesset Speaker.
- Change bloc leaders are divided on who should succeed current Speaker Amir Ohana.
- Avigdor Lieberman announced support for Lapid, but his party members are resistant.
- Replacing the Knesset Speaker is a key early goal for the change bloc.
Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina party, is reportedly seeking the position of Knesset Speaker for his party or for a mutually agreed-upon candidate not affiliated with Gadi Eisenkot's party. This development, reported by Michael Shemesh on Channel 13, comes amid opposition from senior figures in the Yisrael Beiteinu party to Yair Lapid's potential appointment to the role. Disagreements among the leaders of the "change bloc" regarding a successor to current Speaker Amir Ohana have also surfaced.
Bennett has not yet expressed support for Lapid's candidacy, suggesting he might favor another candidate. However, sources close to Bennett have denied these reports, stating that the Knesset Speaker issue has not been discussed in negotiation talks. The contest for the position began even before consultations at the President's Residence. Eisenkot was initially considered a possible candidate as part of the change bloc's effort to control the parliamentary agenda before a government is formed.
On Monday, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced his support for Lapid's candidacy, which was met with resistance from within his own party. Senior Yisrael Beiteinu officials indicated they would not permit Lapid's appointment, reportedly to keep open the possibility of a unity government with the Likud party.
Leaders of the change bloc met on Tuesday and agreed to work towards replacing the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, but failed to reach a consensus on his successor. Following the meeting, Bennett stated the need to quickly replace the Speaker and grant Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a government. Replacing the Knesset Speaker is seen as a key early move by the change bloc to influence the agenda of the new Knesset before a government is established. Now, in addition to the dispute between Eisenkot and Lapid, Bennett's potential claim to the position adds another layer of complexity.
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