Knesset panel approves expansion of Norwegian Law for first reading

The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approves an expansion of the so-called Norwegian Law for its first reading.

The expansion would allow a greater number of downlist candidates to replace ministers in their Knesset seats per party.

Inspired by a similar provision in Norway, the Norwegian Law allows a number of cabinet members from each party within the government to resign their Knesset seats while retaining their ministerial posts, and be replaced by the next candidates on their faction’s election rosters.

Last expanded in 2020, the current law states that factions with four to six MKs can replace up to three ministers, factions with seven to nine can swap out up to four ministers, and factions with at least 10 lawmakers can switch out up to five ministers.

Likud’s plan would keep the limits for smaller factions, but eliminate the five-seat cap for factions with more than 18 MKs. Instead, larger parties will be able to replace up to a third of their slate, allowing the 32-seat Likud to be able to bring in 10 new MKs.