News
New Israeli government faces first test on increase in ministerial posts
Having successfully formed a single-seat majority government last week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing an early test for his coalition over an attempt to increase the number of ministers.
Given its precarious advantage, Netanyahu is attempting to push through a Knesset bill to increase the number of ministers from 18 to 22, which he hopes will help placate the ministerial ambitions of his coalition partners and fellow Likud MKs. Although the cabinet voted in favour of such legislation yesterday, it is being vehemently opposed by the opposition and could delay the official swearing in of the government which is scheduled for Wednesday.
Yesh Atid faction chairman Ofer Shelach yesterday petitioned the High Court for an injunction on the bill until the government follow proper Knesset procedure. Yesh Atid is arguing that the increase in ministerial portfolios would require approval by the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, which has not yet been formed in the new Knesset. The High Court has this morning rejected Yesh Atid’s petition.
Meanwhile, Zionist Union MK Eitan Cabel also took action, petitioning Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein to argue that increasing the cabinet would require a change in the country’s Basic Laws, core legislation in lieu of a constitution. As such, it would need the approval of 70 MKs, not the simple majority of 61 MKs which the new government commands. Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog also threatened to filibuster the bill when it is expected to come to the Knesset plenum today for a first reading.
Herzog commented that his party will “prevent the twisted manoeuver that the prime minister has undertaken to ensure his political survival at any price” and “We will continue to take steps, along with Yesh Atid, to replace this government of failure as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of “cheating the public,” saying that an increase in ministerial portfolios to suit his political needs would cost millions of shekels.