Israel’s opposition leader Benny Gantz has been elected as speaker of the parliament. The surprise move could pave the way for a “rotation deal” in which Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu would take turns as prime minister.
Gantz was elected on Thursday with 74 votes in the 120-member parliament, with 18 members voting against the nomination.
Netanyahu had declared victory in the March 2 election. His Likud party led the way with 36 seats, ahead of Gantz’s Blue and White party, with 33 seats. However, 61 legislators supported Gantz on Sunday, giving him a slim majority. Netanyahu has proposed a “national emergency” government with Gantz to help tackle the coronavirus crisis.
“These are unusual times and they call for unusual decisions. That is why I intend to explore the formation of an emergency unity government”, Gantz said. He had previously rejected serving with Netanyahu, citing his ongoing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Netanyahu denies the allegations, saying the charges have been trumped up by a liberal media and a justice system looking to depose him. On Sunday, the court postponed the trial until May 24 due to virus fears.
Gantz elected speaker of Israel's parliament
EPA-EFE/JINIPIX
Benny Gantz, former Israeli army chief of staff and candidate for prime minister of the Blue and White Israeli centrist political party meets people at the final stages of his election campaign during the Israeli legislative elections in a mall in the northen city of Haifa, Israel, 02 March 2020. Israelis are heading to the polls for a third general election in less than a year, following the prior elections in April and September to elect the 120 members of the Knesset.
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