The Knesset is set to vote on Wednesday on the final readings of a bill that would limit prime ministers to eight years in office.
The vote will be preceded by a 16-hour filibuster by the opposition that started at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s decided to bring the bill to a vote now, as there are currently no coalition MKs who are ill with corona. Because it would change a Basic Law, it would need the support of an absolute majority of all 120
Knesset members, 61 MKs, and not just those who vote.
Joint List faction head Ahmad Tibi said his faction also supports the bill, however, Sa’ar does not want to rely on the Joint List.
The bill is not retroactive and would not apply to opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the only living Israeli prime minister who has served eight years.
There is also a vote set for Wednesday on dispersing the Knesset. Because it lacks a majority, however, it is likely to be withdrawn from the agenda by the opposition.