Ze'ev Elkin
Ze'ev ElkinFlash 90

Even with a narrow right-wing government about to be sworn in, the chances of major judicial reforms being implemented this term are unlikely, Likud MK Ze'ev Elkin asserted on Thursday. 

Elkin, a member of Likud's negotiating team in this latest round of coalition talks as well as chairman of the outgoing coalition, says the problem lies in that there is not enough of a majority to execute the changes Likud and Jewish Home would like to make

"My views are not a secret," Elkin told Army Radio on Thursday morning. "They are similar to the opinions of other members of Likud and perhaps the views of the appointed Justice Minister [Ayelet Shaked]."

"But in a democracy you must have a majority, and we do not have a majority," Elkin opined. 

During the interview Elkin argued that the bill to alter the composition of the Committee for Appointment of Judges would probably not to be enacted in this Knesset as more centrist coalition partner Kulanu opposes it. 

That bill aims to change the makeup of the committee in a way that lessens the power of the Supreme Court judges on the committee and strengthens the representation of the political echelon.

Elkin also referred to the Supersession Clause initiated by Shaked in the previous Knesset. While he does not believe its chances of being approved are very high, Elkin emphasized that discussions are still on the table for this term. 

The Supersession Clause would enable the Knesset to override a High Court decision to strike down a law the Knesset had legislated, if the court determined the law contradicted the Basic Law on Human Dignity and Liberty. For a law to be re-legislated in this way, it would require a majority of at least 61 MKs and would only be in force for the next four years.

"Even if there is a problem [passing it], there is still a certain chance," Elkin suggested. "Therefore the issue appears on the coalition guidelines as part of the agenda of members of the coalition."