Incoming Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin is calling to increase the number of MKs from 120 to 150, explaining too many MKs are going to serve as cabinet ministers and this may have a negative impact on Knesset’s operation, prompting the call for more lawmakers.

Rivlin expressed his adamant opposition to the Norwegian Law, which demands an MK resign as a MK when appointed as a cabinet minister, compelling the call for more MKs to ‘fill the void’.

Rivlin, who served as speaker during Binyamin Netanyahu’s previous tenure as prime minister, vows to work to improve the image of lawmakers in the public’s eye, working to empower the speaker to suspend MKs and revoke voting privileges as some of the measures he wishes to take against those found guilty of serious ethical violations.

Rivlin has already contacted the former Knesset speaker and former president of the Supreme Court as he works towards the establishment of a committee whose job will be to improve the Knesset’s image, which polls agree has sharply deteriorated during recent years.

Rivlin is aware that in order to permit him to suspend MKs entirely, there must be a change in the Knesset Basic Law, and he hopes he will succeed in implementing such changes towards sending a clear message to elected officials and voters alike.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)