Incoming coalition planning legislative blitz that includes court override law — TV

The new coalition that Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is working to assemble has drawn up plans to ensure the appointment of Shas leader Aryeh Deri as a minister despite his conviction for tax offenses earlier this year, according to Channel 12 news.

The report says that to clear the way for Deri’s return as a minister, Netanyahu’s Likud and its allies will first move to appoint a new Knesset speaker next week, allowing them to push through controversial legislation that would allow lawmakers to override Supreme Court rulings.

Once that is done, the incoming coalition would then amend existing legislation to allow an MK with a suspended sentence — as Deri received as part of a plea bargain — to serve as a minister.

With that law finalized, Deri could then become a minister.

The network says that Netanyahu’s right-religious bloc wants to swiftly wrap up this process so Deri can be sworn in alongside other members of the next government.

However, any such legislative push is likely to face legal challenges, potentially tying it up.