Israeli parliament approves bill for unlimited government expansion

Jerusalem, May 12
The Israeli parliament approved upon first reading a bill that will allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appoint an unlimited number of ministers and deputy ministers to his cabinet, Efe news agency reported.

The amendment, approved on Monday night, was supported by 61 to 59 deputies of the Chamber, as opposition leaders tried for hours to wear down their opponents with speeches against the bill.

The move could significantly increase Netanyahu's members of government, who would be forced to deal with the interests of various political groups to form the new coalition.

Following the vote, speaker of parliament, or Knesset, Yuli Edelstein said in remarks published on Ynet's news website: "I am honoured to announce to the Knesset that according to Basic Law, the prime minister has managed to form a government."

Netanyahu now has a one-week window for his government members to be sworn-in to office.