As expected, Likud Member of Knesset Reuven (Ruby) Rivlin was re-elected as Knesset Speaker Monday afternoon, with 90 MK's voting in favor and one abstaining. The 11 members of the predominantly Arab parties, who were taking part in Lands Day observances, did not take part in the vote. Acting speaker Michael Eitan had turned down their request to postpone the vote by a day.
Rivlin held the post during the 16th Knesset, between 2003 and 2006. Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni, who stands to become Opposition Leader when Likud takes the reins of government, instructed the Knesset's largest faction to vote for Rivlin after a meeting in which she was assured he would carry out his duties professionally and not as an arm of the Likud.