Yamina to back fast-tracking direction elections bill

The Yamina party will vote to fast-track a Likud-backed bill to hold a direct vote for prime minister after last month’s inconclusive elections, and a proposal to “regulate” illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank.

Regarding the bill for direct elections, a party source is quoted by Hebrew media as saying that today’s vote is only to lift a requirement for legislative proposals to be put on hold for 45 days before coming up Knesset approval, not on the bill itself.

“Later, in accordance with the situation, we’ll make a decision concerning the continued advance of the bill. We can advance or hold it up at any stage,” source says.

Yamina will vote against canceling Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s power-sharing deal with Blue and White chief Benny Gantz, which is anchored in law.

Other reports, meanwhile, say the right-wing New Hope party — which is seeking to replace Netanyahu as premier — will vote in favor of the West Bank regulation bill but against direct elections.