The National Religious Party submitted the non-confidence bill regarding its allegation that the government has not done enough to lower the country's road fatality rate. The bill won a 42-33 majority. An absolute majority of 61 Knesset votes is necessary to actually topple the government, however.
This was the third time in two months that opposition parties have succeeded in winning a majority on a no-confidence vote.
Shas, the National Union, Shinui and the Arab factions voted with the NRP. Likud voted against, while Labor, United Torah Judaism and the Meretz/Yahad parties abstained.
Labor is on the verge of joining the government coalition with the Likud party, but it abstained in protest of the wallowing coalition talks. Labor demands a change in the Basic Law of the government that would allow its leader, Shimon Peres, to become a second deputy prime minister. The bill to allow the appointment is being reviewed in a Knesset committee.
Another motion against the government last night was defeated by three votes. The Shas party submitted the no-confidence measure over the unemployment rate.
In other political developments, Shinui Party leader Yosef (Tomy) Lapid is expecting be appointed leader of the opposition if Labor and Likud forge a new coalition. This position is filled not by the leader of the largest opposition party, but by the opposition party leader who receives the most votes in a special election among the opposition MKs. MK Eli Yishai of Shas is also in the running.
This was the third time in two months that opposition parties have succeeded in winning a majority on a no-confidence vote.
Shas, the National Union, Shinui and the Arab factions voted with the NRP. Likud voted against, while Labor, United Torah Judaism and the Meretz/Yahad parties abstained.
Labor is on the verge of joining the government coalition with the Likud party, but it abstained in protest of the wallowing coalition talks. Labor demands a change in the Basic Law of the government that would allow its leader, Shimon Peres, to become a second deputy prime minister. The bill to allow the appointment is being reviewed in a Knesset committee.
Another motion against the government last night was defeated by three votes. The Shas party submitted the no-confidence measure over the unemployment rate.
In other political developments, Shinui Party leader Yosef (Tomy) Lapid is expecting be appointed leader of the opposition if Labor and Likud forge a new coalition. This position is filled not by the leader of the largest opposition party, but by the opposition party leader who receives the most votes in a special election among the opposition MKs. MK Eli Yishai of Shas is also in the running.