The Knesset plenum began debating the amendments to Basic Law: The Government, leading up to a vote on a second and third reading of the law.
After days of deliberations, the special Knesset committee charged with preparing bills dealing with the establishment of a new coalition government has approved amendments to the bill that will come up for a second and third Readings, sparking fierce criticism from opposition factions.
The amendments specify the terms of the rotation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue & White leader Benny Gantz in the role of premier.
It also articulates the mechanism by which ministers and deputy ministers can be dismissed by the respective bloc leaders and allows for a situation in which two ministers will be charged with the same ministry.
The amended bill also provides for the eventuality in which the Prime Minister or the Alternate Prime Minister ceases to serve for any reason, how his replacement will take place: with a vote of confidence of ten Knesset members from the respective prime minister’s party.
The proposals stipulate mechanisms for appointing a member of the Knesset to replace the leader if he is forced to suspend his position before the end of his term.
The bill also states that the prime minister's authority to dissolve the Knesset requires the consent of the rotating prime minister.
Should the incumbent PM move to end the term of the Knesset and hold early elections - during the transition period, the replacement prime minister will assume the position of premier.
As for the length of the term, the bill stipulates that the coalition government will have a three-year term - a year and a half for each prime minister from each party.
Finally, this bill states that any changes to the law, or any of its clauses throughout the rotation government, will require the approval of 70 Knesset members - down from the 75 Knesset members in the original version of the bill.
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The High Court discussing the coalition agreement between the Likud and Blue & White
(Photo: Oren Ben Hakun)
The Knesset will also be asked to vote on a bill that will allow two members funding they are not eligible for after they defected from their original faction to join the coalition government.
Former Netanyahu aids and later critics of the PM, Gideon Houzer and Yoaz Hendel, who were part of the Blue & White party before its breakup, are asking the Knesset to finance their political activity in place of their original party.
On Tuesday, the Likud and Blue & White agreed on changes to the coalition agreement, after the High Court expressed criticism of the agreement during while hearing petitions against the deal: