Knesset votes on bill granting it power to suspend PM

The Knesset on Wednesday voted in favor of an amendment which would allow parliament to effectively force a reigning prime minister into temporary suspension, should police launch a criminal investigation against him or if his health is found to be seriously impaired.

Twenty-four MKs voted in favor of the amendment and only two voted against. According to the proposal, a majority of 61 votes would be required to implement the forced suspension.

The move is meant to clarify the current legislative ambiguity in regards to the circumstances in which a prime minister can be temporarily removed from office.

The amendment will allow for a legislative middle ground, in which the MKs will not be forced to enter a vote of no-confidence in the government, in the event of the premier being under criminal investigation.

The bill, which was brought before the House by National Religious Party Chairman MK Zevulun Orlev and MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz), also stipulates that a temporary suspension would be 150-days long, instead of the 100-day period stipulated in the existing statute.

Once the temporary suspension comes to its end, the Knesset would be called to vote on the matter again. Should the vote fail to garner the support of 61 MKs, the prime minister would resume his duties. Should 61 MKs vote in favor of the motion, the government would effectively be dissolved.

Should the prime minister wish to move the vote on his suspended status up, it would be up to the Knesset speaker to call the House to a special session within a 7-day period.

"If 61 MKs can vote a prime minister out of office, the Knesset can have the authority to make him declare temporary suspension," said Orlev.

"The Knesset has to be able to assume the responsibility of telling a prime minister, who for some reason fails to come to the conclusion independently, that he is suspended," added Beilin.