Opposition parties scramble to crown a leader

The job of Leader of the Opposition is expected to go to the next largest party leader after Kadima, which would mean Labor party Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich. However a united front from other opposition parties is threatening to thwart that move. Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said on Tuesday that at this point the only candidate is Yachimovich, whose party submitted a formal request to have her appointed to the position. But MKs from Ra'am Ta'al and Meretz are suggesting Meretz party Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On for the position instead of Yachimovich.

Gal-On said on Tuesday that her party will discuss the proposal and decide whether or not to submit a formal request.

According to the law, the leader of the largest opposition party is automatically appointed opposition leader. But opposition parties that together constitute more than half the number of opposition MKs can also present an alternative candidate for the position.

Arab parties, together with Meretz, currently have 14 mandates, while Labor only has 8. Even if the National Union party supports Yachimovich for the position, Gal-On will have the advantage.

Rivlin expressed concern on Tuesday about the relatively small opposition that will now exist due to the expanded coalition of 94 MKs. "The new political reality has created some difficult parliamentary problems concerning the relationship between the coalition and the opposition. This will be noticed in attempts to approve private legislation that will not be coordinated with the government and the opposition finding it hard to act as a counterweight to the coalition," Rivlin said.

Rivlin went on to say, "I am worried that this will lead to a degeneration of our parliamentary system within weeks."