As the government mulls its response to Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling that Shas head MK Aryeh Deri may not serve as a government minister, Knesset legal advisers have apparently concluded that one option being considered, that of appointing Deri "Alternate Prime Minister," can only be implemented if the government dissolves itself and reconvenes.
According to a report on Kan Reshet Bet, Deri cannot otherwise be appointed Alternate PM as the present government is not a alternating government, and therefore a "constructive" vote of no-confidence in the government would be needed to dissolve the government, followed by the formation of a new government on the basis of the law permitting the rule of alternate premiers.
Several weeks ago, the Likud party announced that it intended to overturn the law permitting alternate premiers within a single Knesset term, as it "prevents stable government."
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is expected to respect the Supreme Court ruling and demote Deri, with the Shas leader's cooperation. Sources close to Deri have indicated that he will show understanding of the necessity of this move and suggest that he will resign once he and Netanyahu agree on the steps to be taken to bring him back to the cabinet table.
Another option being considered by the government, according to a report by Yair Sherki of Channel 12 News, is that of appointing Deri to the position of Knesset Speaker, a position from which he is not barred despite his past criminal convictions.
If the move is implemented, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Likud) is expected to move to another position in the government. Following the Supreme Court ruling, Ohana was one of the visitors to Deri's home in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem. Other visitors included Prime Minister Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.