The time has come for the Likud to establish a shadow government. The immediate task of Israel's largest party is to establish an effective system for parliamentary oversight of the polarized and divided government led by Yamina party chief Naftali Bennett.
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From Day 1, the Likud's shadow government would present alternatives to the incumbent coalition government and its policies. This would be a practical expression of the Likud as a critical opposition force that seeks to march back to power. Even after the recent upheavals, the Likud movement leads all other parties in both the coalition and the opposition by a huge margin, and it will be the one tasked with replacing the sitting government in case of regime change.
As opposition leader, Benjamin Netanyahu will head a group that comprises an alternate cabinet with a comparable representative for every minister. The existence of a strong and consolidated opposition that accompanies every single issue handled by the coalition is an essential component in the correct and critical management of a democratic government. The shadow government will assist in formulating policies and legislation through constructive criticism, opposition to the government's proposals, and the amendment of proposed legislation. At the same time, it will help advance its own policies to increase the chances of the opposition winning in the next elections.
Incumbent Naftali Bennett is the most faltering prime minister to lead Israel since its founding, and the unified stance around his leadership is the stuff of illusion. In practice, the new government has five different prime ministers, each of whom sees themselves as steering policy in a direction that suits their worldview. Many in this government now set to run outsized ministries have zero experience. The public must be kept abreast of its activity, and the party that must maintain close public oversight through a shadow government is the Likud.
Just like the short-lived government of then Labor-leader Ehud Barak that entered office in 1999, Bennett's government will soon be nothing more than a passing episode. Do you remember how Barak promised those rejoicing at his election that "this was the dawn of a new day," meaning the end of the ultra-Orthodox Shas' party's political power? Well, we're in the same situation, except this time around, Shas has been replaced with the anti-Netanyahu slogan "anyone but Bibi." The masses gathered outside the Prime Minister's Residence on Balfour Street celebrated the ousting of the Likud from power. In practice, Barak led the State of Israel to a terrible place in record time. Bennett appears poised to follow in his footsteps.
In 1999, Barak's supporters thought they were the winners. Now, too, they believe the Likud's time in power is over. Not even close. We aren't weak, and we are ready for the great struggle that lies ahead.
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