On video: Smotritz upon entering the meeting with Netanyahu in the Knesset (Yaki Adamker)
The coalition is having difficulty recruiting a majority of 61 members of the Knesset to replace the speaker of the Knesset and to advance the legislation that would qualify the appointment of Aryeh Deri to the position of minister. The chairman of the religious Zionism MK Bezalel Smotrich refused today (Sunday) to sign a form that was required to be submitted to the current speaker Miki Levy towards the appointment of a new chairman - this is a sign of significant progress with his party in the coalition negotiations.
Smotrich's party said in response that "we did not receive such an official request".
Tonight, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Smotrich, in an attempt to reach an understanding.
Although the 25th Knesset started about two weeks ago, Knesset Chairman Miki Levy is still in office.
In Likud, they avoided appointing a temporary chairman, and preferred to appoint the permanent chairman close to the swearing in of the government, but in light of the delay in the coalition negotiations, the move has not yet come to fruition. MK Miki Levy's office said that upon submitting the request to replace him, he will convene the plenary within seven days.
Refused to sign the form.
Smotrich (Photo: Reuven Castro)
Besides the coalition negotiations that have not yet ended with most of the parties, Aryeh Deri said that he wants to be sworn in as a minister in the new government along with the other ministers. Consequently, the coalition must wait until the end of the legislation that will allow for Deri's appointment despite his conviction for tax offenses and the question of scandal that hangs over him. In order to advance the law in question, the future coalition must first replace the Knesset speaker, Miki Levy, with someone on its behalf, so that there are no delays in legislation in the Knesset.
One way or another, Netanyahu is expected to decide in the coming days which of the Likud members he intends to appoint to the position, with the leading candidates being Yoav Kish and Ofir Akunis, and Dodi Amsalem still demands to be appointed to the position. Netanyahu's candidate must also receive the approval of the Likud faction in a vote in the Knesset. With the completion of the coalition negotiations and the division of roles vis-à-vis the partnership, Netanyahu will hold a marathon round of talks with all the Likud MKs in which he will share They have the remaining portfolios and positions and he will also make his decision regarding the identity of the next Speaker of the Knesset.
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Political-political
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Bezalel Smotrich
Aryeh Deri
Benjamin Netanyahu
Likud
