Bennett said weighing resigning as alternate PM immediately after Nov. 1 elections

Move could leave Lapid in sole control of government until new coalition formed; Bennett office’s says he’ll decide on moves once ballots cast

Naftali Bennett is considering resigning as alternate prime minister immediately after November 1 elections, potentially leaving Prime Minister Yair Lapid in full control of the interim government, according to new reports.

Channels 12 and 13 reported over the weekend that Bennett, who is not running for reelection, is looking to step down even before a new government is sworn in.

Channel 12 reported that the ostensible reasoning behind the move was a legal opinion Bennett received saying that since he will no longer be a member of the Knesset after the election, he can no longer serve in the role of alternate premier.

But the network also said Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara was reviewing the matter and tended toward ruling that Bennett could remain in the role.

Commentators have speculated that Bennett is also eager to depart the role amid growing discomfort with Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s policies.

Under Bennett and Lapid’s power-sharing agreement, the alternate prime minister wields veto power over the premier’s decision. His departure could leave the right-wing flank of the government without veto power, awarding Lapid greater control of the caretaker government so long as a new one is not inaugurated.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid (R) with Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem on September 18, 2022. (Olivier Fitousi/Flash90)

Bennett’s office was non-committal Saturday, saying he “will serve as alternate prime minister until the elections, at which point he will decide on his future in accordance with the circumstances.”

As part of his break from politics, Bennett also resigned as head of Yamina and handed the party to Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked. She has since largely dismantled the party and is now helming a campaign for the Jewish Home party.

Shaked called Saturday for the veto to go to her if Bennett resigns and no government is formed “so as not to leave the government in the left’s hands.”

“The minister considers it of the utmost importance to preserve the veto,” her office said.

It was not clear whether such a transfer of powers could be legally carried out.

Notably, Shaked is also in danger of finding herself outside the Knesset after the election, with her party consistently polling below the electoral threshold.

Since the collapse of the government, which was made up of parties spanning left to right and also included an Islamist faction, Shaked has distanced herself from the outgoing coalition and has said she will recommend Netanyahu as premier.