The Knesset approved the expansion of the cabinet on second and third readings today. Following the vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will begin summoning Likud members to inform them which portfolios he has designated for them, after they were forbidden, through a text message to their mobile phones, from leaving the plenum - even to the cafeteria - so as not to jeopardize the vote. Because there are only 61 Members of Knesset (MKs) in the coalition (in the 120-seat parliament), each and every vote is critical, and the MKs were asked to be present.
The Knesset plenum approved the proposed amendment to the basic law, after dozens of objections filed by the opposition, and dozens of votes. Most of the votes were conducted electronically but some by calling out the names of the MKs. 61 Knesset members voted in favor of the proposal and 59 opposed it.
The proposed amendment sought to bring back positions for ministers without portfolios, and to establish a temporary order that the limit on the number of ministers and deputy ministers that was supposed to apply to the formation of the upcoming government coalition not be applicable to the 20th Knesset.
According to the amendment that was passed, the number of ministers will be increased, and the prime minister will be able to appoint more than 18 ministers. The previous government approved a law limiting the number of ministers to 18. The amendment that was passed today postpones the implementation of that law to the next government, and makes it possible to appoint more ministers. However, the number of minsters that may now be appointed is not unlimited - according to the coalition agreement, there will be a limit of 20 MKs.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 13, 2015
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015