6 days ago
What might happen in Israel's parliamentary dissolution vote?
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows the Knesset, Israeli parliament building, in snow-covered Jerusalem, January 27, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg/File Photo
Opposition party Yesh Atid has submitted a vote to dissolve the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, for June 11, amid rising tensions in the ruling right-wing coalition.
Here are some key facts about the Knesset, the procedure for a dissolution vote, which would lead to an election, and possible scenarios.
KNESSET COMPOSITION
Total seats: 120
Simple majority needed to pass the vote: 61
Current government majority: 8 seats
LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE
The Yesh Atid motion faces four votes with an absolute majority of the Knesset required in the final stretch to become law, thereby bringing a premature end to the legislature and triggering an election, which must be held within five months of the motion passing.
In practice, if the initial vote passes, the subsequent stages could occur all the same day or take months.
OPPOSITION STRATEGY
A bill to dissolve parliament will only be brought to a vote if Yesh Atid is confident of securing a majority. If not, it can withdraw the motion anytime before June 11, preventing a vote.
ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS
Ultra-Orthodox coalition parties could decide to leave the government to protest at its failure to put forward a law granting exemption from military service to ultra-Orthodox men. At the same time, they might refuse to vote for dissolution of parliament, allowing a minority government to continue.
COALITION NUMBERS
The coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a majority of around 68 seats in parliament, though its size has fluctuated due to internal political shifts.
The two coalition ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, hold 18 seats collectively. If they united with the opposition, they would have enough votes to dissolve parliament and trigger early elections a year ahead of schedule. REUTERS
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