The next steps until the establishment of the 37th government of Israel
Elections were held a month ago, with a clear majority in favor of the right-wing bloc led by Binyamin Netanyahu – 64 times – but the government has not yet been sworn in.
As of November 2, negotiations between the various components of the future coalition, that is, Likud on the one hand, Shass, Yahadout Hatorah, Hatzionout Hadatit, Otsma Yehudit and Noam on the other, are successfully underway.
Two contracts have already been signed by Likud: one with Otsma Yehudit and the other with Noam. Betsalel Smotrich’s strained relationship with Tsionout Hadatit has eased, and tonight (Monday-Tuesday) the leaders of the two parties announced significant progress in negotiations and offered a very close agreement.
The Orthodox parties, Shass and Yahadout Hatorah, remain, trying to make the most of this phase of negotiations, which is much longer than we imagined on election night.
But even if there is no agreement with all the parties, the bloc that will form the future coalition can already start the procedures that will allow to start the turn at the head of the state.
- Election of the new speaker of the Knesset
The move, which must be approved by a majority of the Knesset, is formal in a parliament with a majority of 64 seats. However, Yesh Atid’s Miki Levy still holds the post of Knesset speaker. This function is especially important for determining the agenda of discussions in the Knesset. Some were surprised that Binyamin Netanyahu had not yet put one of his men on the bench. The reason for this: Likud (and possibly Tsionout Hadatit) wanted to use this non-candidacy as leverage on its negotiating partners. In other words, the message was this: If you want a new speaker in the Knesset, be prepared to compromise in order to conclude the negotiations as quickly as possible. Micky Levy will remain president without coalition deals.
But this presidential change is critical for the formation of a new government. Indeed, Arie Derhy, who received a suspended prison sentence for tax evasion, cannot legally become a minister. One of the basic laws should be amended for its appointment. For this, the chairman of the Knesset should put this vote on the agenda. Micky Lévy will certainly not agree to play this game.
Finally, today we learn that the parties of the future coalition have agreed on the election of a new interim president of the Knesset. The name of the candidate is expected to be announced by Netanyahu. Several Likud personalities are candidates: Yariv Levin, Amir Ohana or Yoav Kish. It seems that Likud’s No. 2 Yariv Levin is the favorite. Indeed, since it is a matter of a temporary appointment and Levin has been referred to the Ministry of Justice, he will leave the chair without any difficulty the day the coalition wants to name the president.
2. The appointment of Derhi as a minister should be legalized
After the appointment of the Knesset president, even if only temporarily, the future coalition will ask for a vote on an amendment to Paragraph 6 of the “Basic Law: Government” introduced by Shass MP Moshe Arbel.
Under this amendment, the clause prohibiting any person sentenced to prison from holding ministerial office for a period of 7 years will be changed so that it does not apply to a person sentenced to probation.
Another amendment must be voted on immediately. It was requested by Itamar Ben Gvir and refers to aligning the relationship between the minister of internal security – who will be the minister of national security – and the chief of police to that which exists between the minister of defense and the prime minister. Staff.
Finally, the future coalition must immediately repeal the law passed by the Bennett-Lapid government, which allowed 4 MPs to leave their party and form an independent faction in the Knesset.
3. The government is sworn in (around mid-December)
After completing the previous two steps, Netanyahu must complete the final distribution of the ministerial portfolios, especially within his own party, and announce to the president that he has succeeded in forming a government, as required by protocol.
The same statement will then be made to the Speaker of the Knesset, who will convene a parliamentary session to proceed with the Knesset vote of confidence and the swearing-in of the new government.
If all goes as planned, this session should be held from today Monday, December 13therefore, the date when the 37th government of the State of Israel and the 6th government led by Benjamin Netanyahu will officially take office.
