The Powers of the Caretaker Government: Are They Really Unlimited?

Abstract

After a political and constitutional crisis, the Government of Mr. Rabin presented its resignation to the President of the State on 20 December 1976. A few weeks later, the Knesset decided to bring forward the general elections from October 1977 to 17 May 1977. Under sec. 11 of Basic Law: The Government, the procedure for setting up a new government ceases immediately after the adoption of a Law to dissolve the Knesset. Thus, the government of Mr. Rabin, having resigned will “continue to carry out its function until a new Government is formed”. It is generally assumed that it will take approximately 4–6 weeks to form a new government after the elections of May 17. Thus, a new government will not begin to function before the beginning of July 1977, leaving the present government of Mr. Rabin to “carry out its functions” for more than 6 months, i.e., from 20 December 1976 until (approximately) July 1977.