Netanyahu coalition passes first parliament hurdle

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fledgling coalition passed its first test in a deeply divided parliament on Wednesday with the approval of a bill effectively enlarging the cabinet.

The amendment is a crucial precursor to the formation of a new government, with Netanyahu seeking to please as many lawmakers as possible in order to win a vote of confidence over the next few days.

Highlighting the coalition's razor-thin majority in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, the bill was approved by 61 votes to 59.

It delays implementation of a basic law on government passed last year which limited the number of ministers serving under the premier to 18 in an attempt to reduce public spending.

Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party says that he will now start allocating portfolios and chairmanships of Knesset committees to Likud members of parliament.

Cabinet posts for the four partner parties joining the government are already designated in the respective coalition agreements with them.
Netanyahu's alliance was built over weeks of intensive negotiations following a March general election, at the cost of major concessions to his coalition partners and resentment within his own party.

The amendment passed Wednesday aims to let him give more portfolios to senior members of his rightwing Likud.

His next crucial step is to put the proposed government to a vote of confidence in the parliament, expected to take place on Thursday or Monday.

If it fails, the task of forming a government will pass to another party leader judged to have a chance of welding together support.

In the March 17 election Likud won 30 seats. His partners are the centre-right Kulanu (10 seats), the far-right Jewish Home (eight) and the two ultra-Orthodox parties Shas (seven) and United Torah Judaism (six).