Opposition Parties Reportedly Discuss Forer and Stern for Knesset Speaker

Opposition parties are reportedly discussing Oded Forer and Elazar Stern as possible candidates to replace Amir Ohana as Knesset speaker. The names emerged in a report on October 28 about contacts among leaders of the change bloc following the election. The parties have not agreed on a candidate. The reported aim is to settle on a shared nominee and seek the speaker's replacement at the incoming Knesset's inauguration. Forer and Stern were among the names raised in recent days. Their inclusion in those discussions does not amount to an agreed nomination, and the report describes an effort to coordinate rather than a completed parliamentary decision. The contacts follow an earlier agreement by opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, Yair Golan and Yair Lapid to work together after the election. In an earlier interview, Ahmad Tibi said, "We will support the opposing candidate for Knesset speaker." Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen also said his list would work to replace the speaker. The parliamentary background is separate from negotiations over forming a government. The outgoing speaker normally remains in office until a successor is chosen. The speaker and committee leadership influence legislative scheduling and parliamentary oversight, making those posts part of the post-election discussions. The reported next objective is agreement on a common candidate; no selection or replacement vote has been announced in the shortlist report.