Current Political Scene:
President: Shimon Peres
Prime Minister: Ehud Olmert (Kadima)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Prime Minister: Tzipi Livini (Kadima)
Vice Prime Minister: Haim Ramon (Kadima)
Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister: Ehud Barak (Labor-Meimad)
Minister of Transportation and Deputy Prime Minister: Shaul Mofaz (Kadima)
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor: Eliyahu Yishai (Shas)
Opposition Leader: Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud)
The Knesset
The Knesset, the legislative branch of the government, is comprised of 120 seats, proportionately distributed to parties based on the number of votes received in elections. The Knesset functions through general debates in plenary sessions and through its 12 standing committees and three special committees. The prime minister or the Knesset itself can dissolve the parliament.
Government formation
After elections, the president consults with party leaders and then designates one Knesset member with the duty of forming a new government. The designee must present a list of ministers for Knesset approval and an outline for government guidelines within 28 days of being selected for the position. Most ministers are given a portfolio and head a ministry, while others handle special projects. Every Israeli government so far has been formed by a coalition of parties.
Current government
Following Ariel Sharon’s incapacitation, elections for the 17th Knesset were held on March 28, 2006. The votes resulted in 12 parties winning seats, with Kadima gaining control of 29 seats, Labor-Meimad 19 seats and Likud and Shas 12 seats each. The chairman of Kadima, Ehud Olmert became prime minister.
Possible scenarios for a new government
If a prime minister is convicted of an offense judged as “moral turpitude,” resigns, dies or ceases to be a member of the Knesset, then the president must begin the process of establishing a new government.
If the PM is deemed temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office, an acting PM will take office for up to 100 days. If the PM is unable to return to office after this period, the PM is deemed permanently incapacitated.
In the absence of a functioning majority, the PM can announce the dissolution of the Knesset. The Knesset has 21 days to request that the president assign someone else to form a government. The inability to form a new government will lead to dissolution of the Knesset and new elections
A majority of members of Knesset can pass a no confidence vote that will lead either to a new government being formed or to the dissolution of the Knesset.
New elections must be held within five months of the Knesset dissolving itself.
