Explaining the position is a relatively new one, created by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu has signaled that if elected prime minister, he may eliminate the ‘mimalei makom’ vice/substitute premier slot, which only exists for a number of years.
 
During his second tenure as prime minister, Sharon appointed his minister of industry & trade, Ehud Olmert to the spot, a consolation prize for not receiving a more senior seat at the government table despite his loyalty. The move proved a historical one, since after Sharon’s second stroke, Olmert slid into the premiership role after the prime minister was ruled “incapacitated”. Olmert then led his party to his reelection and holds the seat to this very day.
 
The real reason for eliminating the post is most likely related to the events over the past year vis-à-vis Olmert and his foreign minister, Kadima’s current leader, Tzipi Livni. Following Sharon’s lead, Olmert too appointed a substitute, Livni, but the two have been at odds for sometime and Livni was among the more vocal opponents of the prime minister, calling for his resignation as the news of his alleged illegal activities began unfolding in the media.
 
Netanyahu, who has already signaled his will most likely appoint Silvan Shalom as his foreign minister, does he not maintain a working relationship with the former 2nd place holder in the Likud lineup. For internal political reasons, Netanyahu may appoint Shalom to the second highest post despite their inability to work side-by-side, and despite the fact that Shalom fell in the ranking on the party lineup. If this is the case, Netanyahu is likely to eliminate the substitute post, not wishing to give Shalom an easy ticket into the leadership post in the event the prime minister is disabled or out of the country for a period of time demanding his substitute assume his powers, even if it is only a formality.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)