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Likud MKs jostle for ministerial roles with cabinet expansion imminent
Although a bill to expand the cabinet is likely to pass the Knesset this evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a difficult task to satisfy leading Likud MKs as he decides on his new government’s final ministerial positions.
With just a single-seat majority, 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 fellow Likud MKs, having already rewarded coalition partners with 10 ministries. A lengthy Knesset debate on the legislation looks set for this evening, with opposition parties vehemently opposing what they view as a waste of public funds.
Although the bill is likely to be approved, Netanyahu will be faced with the task of filling 12 ministerial portfolios with an excess number of Likud MKs hoping or expecting cabinet roles. Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon and Transport Minister Yisrael Katz look set to retain their positions. However, Channel Two suggests that Gilad Erdan, Yuval Steinitz and Silvan Shalom, all senior figures, are battling it out to become Interior Minister, a position Erdan already holds. The NRG news site says that Erdan could become Public Security Minister instead. NRG also predicts that Yariv Levin will become Tourism Minister and Zeev Elkin Immigration and Absorption Minister. Levin and Elkin were prominent in conducting coalition negotiations on behalf of Likud. Meanwhile, Benny Begin is thought to have been earmarked for a portfolio.
Channel Two says that prominent female MKs Miri Regev and Gila Gamliel will also be rewarded with ministerial roles. Such a scenario could leave Danny Danon, Ofir Akunis, Tzahi Hanegbi and Tzipi Hotovely battling it out for a single ministry.
On Monday, Netanyahu acknowledged the difficulties ahead, telling his Likud faction, “Dividing portfolios is not simple… but I have to tell you it’s a lot easier than giving posts in the opposition.” Netanyahu hopes to officially swear in a new government later this week or early next week.