Likud Backs Down and Prepares for Repeat State Comptroller Election After Supreme Court Ruling

The Israeli Supreme Court's decision to annul the election of the State Comptroller has placed the Likud party and the coalition in a difficult position. On one side, the populist faction led by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana advocates for a constitutional crisis by refusing to hold the election again. However, actions diverge from rhetoric, as even coalition member Yariv Levin signed the appointment of Yitzhak Amit as Supreme Court President, respecting the court's ruling.

Figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Simcha Gottlieb, who suggest boycotting the re-election, appear motivated more by social media attention than a genuine intent to disrupt the process. The Supreme Court's disqualification of the previous election means that even if the coalition claims that Regev Ravilo is the legitimate State Comptroller, he is unlikely to assume office. It is expected that Ravilo will not appear at the State Comptroller's office on Sunday, preventing a direct confrontation between the Knesset and the Supreme Court.

With Ravilo's absence, a repeat election is inevitable, with timing as the only remaining question. The current coalition holds a slim majority of 68 seats, a situation unlikely to recur in the next Knesset, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to push for elections before the Likud primaries while he still commands party discipline. The Knesset has about two weeks left before dissolution, and the coalition aims to advance its legislative agenda without disruption.

To avoid wasting plenary sessions on the repeat election, the coalition is considering rescheduling the vote to Sunday or Thursday. There is also a possibility of postponing the vote until after the Knesset dissolves but before the Likud primaries. In the meantime, coalition leaders must carefully manage dissenting members, including ultra-Orthodox and rebel MKs, to secure the necessary majority.