developing· Politics· Updated 13:35

Knesset Speaker Race Becomes Key Battleground for "Change Bloc"

The Israeli opposition and "change bloc" parties are discussing a plan to replace the current Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana of the Likud party, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset. Despite recent election setbacks, the bloc is seeking to leverage the emerging balance of power to gain control over parliamentary proceedings and the legislative agenda, even if they cannot form a government.

5 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 12:25

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Knesset Speaker Race Becomes Key Battleground for "Change Bloc" — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Opposition parties are discussing replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana during the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset.
02The change bloc and Arab parties together hold a 66-seat majority, which is sufficient to elect a new speaker.
03Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu and Elazar Stern of Yesh Atid are being considered as potential joint candidates.
04The move aims to give the opposition control over the parliamentary agenda and legislation without forming a government.
05Joint List Chairman Ahmad Tibi expressed willingness to support an opposition candidate against Ohana.
06The Democrats Chairman Yair Golan called for forming a government partnership with Arab parties.
07Securing support from Arab parties poses a political challenge for opposition leaders who previously campaigned against such reliance.

To succeed, opposition leaders are working to reach a consensus on a joint candidate to challenge Ohana. Potential candidates currently under consideration include Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu and Elazar Stern of Yesh Atid.

According to Kipa, the Netanyahu bloc holds 54 seats, while the change bloc has 47, the Joint List has 13, and Ra'am has six. Together with the Arab parties, the change bloc would hold a 66-seat majority, which is sufficient to elect a new speaker. Ahmad Tibi, Chairman of the Joint List, has indicated willingness to support an opposition candidate against Ohana, and has offered support to form a change bloc government if they demonstrate courage. Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats, has also called for a government partnership with Arab parties, rejecting the division of votes into Jewish and Arab categories.

A key challenge for the opposition is the potential political backlash of relying on Arab parties, especially if a second round of elections occurs, as some bloc leaders had previously campaigned against forming a government dependent on their support.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 12:56

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