Israel amends basic law allowing parties to fill greater number of parliamentary seats ceded by ministers

The Knesset passed a law [23 January] to increase the number of coalition politicians in office, expanding the so-called Norwegian Law to allow up to 27 additional lawmakers to swell coalition ranks in the Knesset under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The law was passed in its final and third reading with 65 votes in favor, 18 opposed and one abstention. Legislated as a change to Basic Law: The Knesset and nicknamed after a similar provision in Oslo, the amendment allows a greater number of ministers and deputy ministers from large factions to resign, with their positions as MKs taken by members of their parties. The law also creates a mechanism for tiny factions to make use of the clause. [...] Pushed by Netanyahu’s Likud, the bill is also a way for the premier to swap out headstrong party seniors with more pliable junior MKs in the Knesset faction. [...] The Norwegian Law lets a number of cabinet members and deputy ministers from each government party resign their Knesset seats while they hold their ministerial posts. If a minister later resigns from the cabinet, they automatically return to the Knesset, requiring the lawmaker who replaced them in parliament to give up their seat.
Read the full article here: The Times of Israel