Israeli Opposition Plans Early Parliamentary Move to Replace Knesset Speaker
As Israeli elections approach without a clear frontrunner, the opposition bloc is coordinating a parliamentary move to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana immediately after the vote to secure legislative control.
With less than a month until the general elections, polls indicate no clear victory for either side, prompting political factions to prepare for a preliminary battle over control of the Knesset. The opposition bloc is currently coordinating a parliamentary maneuver to replace incumbent Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana immediately following the elections.
The Opposition Strategy and Legal Framework
Following a Saturday night meeting between Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid, joint working groups have been established. One team is tasked with formulating government guidelines and outlining immediate post-election actions. Opposing this, the Likud leadership and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office are consulting on preventative measures to delay Ohana's replacement and maintain control during the transition period.
Under the law, the current Knesset Speaker can remain in office during the transition until a new government is formed, a process that can take up to two months. However, the High Court of Justice's Edelstein ruling from 2020 established that if 61 MKs demand a vote to elect a new Speaker, the vote must be held immediately, prior to the establishment of the government.
Parliamentary Control and Arab Parties
The opposition bloc intends to coordinate this move with the votes of Arab parties, including Ra'am and Hadash-Ta'al. MK Ahmad Tibi has stated in an interview that he would support replacing Speaker Amir Ohana with an opposition candidate.
"If necessary, replacing the Knesset Speaker will be the change bloc's way of testing the possibility of establishing a minority government should no clear decision emerge from the public," sources within the opposition parties told ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth.
Controlling the Knesset speaker position before forming a government would allow the opposition to dictate the legislative agenda, potentially advancing contentious bills such as legislation limiting prime ministerial tenure to two terms or establishing a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, though securing a parliamentary majority for such bills remains challenging.
