Blame Game

1)

With a ratio of one minister per two coalition MKs, the emerging government’s job inflation will more than match the monetary inflation wreaking havoc with the world economy. Every one of the future coalition’s MKs will get a sinecure of some sort: While dozens will plump themselves into the deer-hide chairs reserved for government ministers, others will enjoy the perks of chairing Knesset committees, with expansive offices and extra parliamentary aides. And this doesn’t even include the dozens of new MKs who will enter the Knesset to take the place of ministers resigning from the chamber, in accordance with the Norwegian Law.

Job inflation dates back to the late Ariel Sharon. “It feels good to be a minister,” he said.

He must have enjoyed making people feel good: During his first government, the once-modest government table on the Knesset floor had to be expanded to accommodate the record new 28 ministers.

Netanyahu has learned from Sharon — as well as from his own mistakes. After his first election in ’96, he stuck to the basic law limiting the number of portfolios and formed a standard government of 25 ministers. But the constant intrigue from MKs left out of the government turned him into a lame duck from the start of his term. Since his return to power in 2009, Netanyahu has adopted the Sharon model, dispensing ministerial roles liberally.