Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has elected one of its members as temporary speaker of Israel’s Knesset, an unusual decision that will allow his incoming far-right and religious coalition to advance sweeping legislative changes before a government is officially sworn in.
A majority of 64 Knesset members voted on Tuesday to install Netanyahu confidante Yariv Levin as temporary speaker, a critical step that will make it possible for the prime minister-designate to fulfil promises he has made to potential cabinet partners before they take up their posts.