First publication: Netanyahu's candidate decided to withdraw from the candidacy for State Comptroller

Attorney Michael Ravilo, Netanyahu's candidate for State Comptroller, announced his withdrawal from the candidacy due to the loss of the coalition majority and low chances of election. The Knesset's legal adviser is inclined not to open the competition to new candidates, which may leave Judge Yosef Elron as the sole candidate.

Attorney Michael Ravilo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's candidate for State Comptroller, decided not to run again for the position in anticipated repeat elections after the swearing-in of the new Knesset. The background to the decision: the loss of the coalition majority, which reduces his chances of being elected, and the coalition's preference not to be confrontational towards retired Supreme Court Judge Yosef Elron, whose chances are higher. Associates of Ravilo stated that his candidacy faced an orchestrated campaign focusing on claims of conflict of interest, but the Supreme Court rejected petitions on the matter. The appointment affair developed into a constitutional crisis: in the first round, Elron received 60 votes and Ravilo 57; in the second round, Ravilo won, but the High Court invalidated the process and ordered new elections. The 26th Knesset will be sworn in on November 10, raising the question of whether it will need to hold only the second round or open to new candidates. The Knesset's legal adviser is inclined not to open the competition, which would leave Elron as the sole candidate.