Knesset Speaker Sets Vote for His Replacement Amid Political Maneuvering
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana scheduled a vote for his replacement on November 17, responding to a request from 67 lawmakers. Ohana opposes the vote before the new government is formed, fearing it will allow the majority to pass legislation strengthening the legal advisor's powers. The opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, aims to control the Knesset's administration and advance legislative priorities, including an inquiry into the October 7 failures.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana set November 17 for a vote on his replacement.
- The vote was requested by 67 Knesset members from the opposition bloc.
- Ohana opposes the vote before the new government is formed, citing concerns over legislative power.
- The opposition bloc aims to control Knesset administration and advance legislative priorities.
- Matan Kahana has been nominated by the opposition to replace Ohana as Speaker.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announced Tuesday evening that a vote to elect a new speaker for the 26th Knesset will be held on November 17. This decision comes in response to a request signed by 67 Knesset members. Ohana expressed his opposition to the new parliamentary majority's efforts to replace him before the formation of the next government, suggesting the move aims to enable the incoming majority to pass legislation that would strengthen the powers of the government's legal advisor.
In a statement, Ohana said he received an "exceptional request" from 67 Knesset members to schedule the vote. "Therefore, I decided that next Tuesday, November 17, at 4 p.m., at the opening of the Knesset's plenary session, a discussion will be held, followed by a vote," he stated. He voiced concern that the vote, held before the new government is sworn in, is intended to allow the forming majority to "push legislation granting the government's legal advisor enormous power, deepening the imbalance between the elected level and the administrative level."
Despite his strong objections to the intentions of the emerging coalition, Ohana pledged to respect the will of the majority of Knesset members, confirming the plenary session would convene as scheduled. The opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is seeking to replace Ohana and gain control of the Knesset's administration before the next government is formed. This would allow the new majority to advance legislative priorities while the outgoing government of Benjamin Netanyahu continues to exercise its executive powers.
On Tuesday, opposition leaders agreed to nominate Matan Kahana as their candidate for Knesset Speaker and Roy Folkman for the chairmanship of the organizing committee, along with other committee leadership positions. They are also working to establish temporary and special committees before the new government is inaugurated. Legislative steps being pursued by the bloc include forming an official inquiry committee into the failures of October 7, defining the term limits for the Prime Minister, and repealing legislation passed by Netanyahu's government, including changes related to the powers of the Attorney General, the judiciary, and the police.
