Revealed: Gantz-Lapid deal on PM post, ministers
The union of Israel Resilience and Yesh Atid has clearly laid out how many portfolios each will get and how the two party leaders will share the prime minister's role in a swap set for February 2022.
The Blue and White party will Sunday present the political agreement formulated by joint leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, which led to a shake-up in the center bloc ahead of the 2019 elections.
The agreement, obtained by Ynet, includes the distribution of portfolios and ministers, a rotation from Gantz to Lapid in the prime minister's chair on January 2, 2022, including the possibility of legislation to facilitate this rotation, joint decision-making processes, the addition of Gabi Ashkenazi to the list of candidates for Israel Resilience and the appointment of the next Knesset speaker by Yesh Atid.
The agreement stipulates that Lapid, Gantz and Ya'alon will work together as one faction during the period of the 21st Knesset and in any governments serving throughout this term. This means that they will be able to split in the future and act as two separate factions (Yesh Atid and Israel Resilience-Telem).
"There is unanimity between the parties regarding the need for a change of rule in Israel, for the benefit of the citizens of the State of Israel," the agreement states. "The parties decided to join hands and to work together in the upcoming elections for the benefit of the State of Israel and its citizens, and to run together in the elections and to work after the elections to form a government with them at its head."
Five portfolios for Yesh Atid
Gantz and Lapid also divided up ministerial roles should they form the next government:
"The order by choice is as follows:
1. Benny Gantz
2. Yair Lapid
3. Moshe Ya'alon
4. Gabi Ashkenazi
5. Yesh Atid representative
6. Israel Resilience representative
7. Yesh Atid representative
8. Yesh Atid representative
9. Israel Resilience representative
10. Yesh Atid representative
"It was further stated that if the faction has to appoint additional ministers, their names will be determined after consultation with a limited "kitchen cabinet". The head of each individual list will be responsible for the appointment of their ministers and other officers, as well as for the termination of their term of office."
The agreement also states that the heads of the list will make decisions together: "A joint leadership will be formed," consisting of Gantz, Lapid, Ya'alon and Ashkenazi, to make ongoing decisions. The heads of Israel Resilience and Yesh Atid are also able to appoint an extra representative apiece to this panel. Lapid is apparently adding Avi Nissenkorn, the current head of Histradrut labor federation.
The sides have agreed to a rotation that would begin on January 2, 2022: "In order to carry out a change in the prime ministerial role, the parties undertake to act in accordance with the provisions of article 28 of the Basic Law: The Government (constructive no-confidence), or any other legal means to facilitate this process, including legislative changes.
Within the framework of the rotation, it was also agreed to share the duties of coalition chairman: "A Knesset member from Israel Resilience will serve as coalition chairman during Benny Gantz's term as prime minister and a Knesset member from Yesh Atid will serve as coalition chairman Yair Lapid's term as prime minister."
Moran Azoulay and Kobi Nachshoni contributed to this report.
