AG opposes bill to let ministers’ associates become heads of government firms without ‘special qualifications’

The Attorney General’s Office expresses opposition to a bill proposed by Likud MK Nissim Vaturi that would permit associates of ministers to be appointed as heads of government companies without needing “special qualifications.”

A letter sent on behalf of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to Justice Minister Yariv Levin says the bill “seriously harms the integrity of appointments to government companies, as well as appointments to various public corporations, as it has the effect of removing a central and essential guarantee that the appointment of a candidate with a political affiliation will be made for substantive considerations, due to his qualifications — and not due to his connections.”

The attorney general adds that the bill is part of a range of legislative steps that “politicize” the civil service, thereby harming its professionalism and quality.

Under the current system, the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee will only recommend the appointment of an individual associated with a minister to head a government firm if they have “special qualifications.”