Change Bloc Weighs Knesset Speaker Replacement Amid Vote Tally

A day after the elections to the 26th Knesset, leaders of the change bloc are holding indirect consultations through various channels while awaiting the final tally of double-envelope votes. Approximately 650,000 votes, equivalent to roughly 15 mandates, are currently being counted, with final results expected by Thursday evening or Friday.

In the meantime, the bloc's immediate effort centers on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before a new speaker is formally chosen. The goal is to execute the replacement during the Knesset swearing-in ceremony. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the candidate, with MK Oded Forer of Yisrael Beytenu and Elazar Stern of Yashar! emerging as potential contenders.

While bloc leaders acknowledge that replacing the speaker will not directly result in forming a government, they view the move as leverage against potential coalition partners. With roughly 85 percent of votes counted, the Netanyahu bloc stands at 54 mandates compared to 49 for the change bloc, necessitating reliance on Arab party votes for the maneuver.

Internal divisions persist within the bloc, as different factions pursue distinct strategies. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, urged the bloc to cease hesitating and pursue cooperation with Arab factions. Meanwhile, Avigdor Liberman appealed to Likud lawmakers to defect and challenge Benjamin Netanyahu, while Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett continue their diplomatic efforts quietly.