Coalition lawmakers voted on Wednesday to advance a pair of controversial bills intended to give the cabinet greater control over senior appointments at government corporations despite strong opposition from the Attorney General’s Office.

The first bill, which passed a preliminary reading 46-35, would allow ministers to directly nominate candidates of their choice, including those who do not have the necessary educational and experience qualifications.

Under the current system, ministers nominate candidates from a pool of qualified candidates who are screened and vetted by an independent committee.

Sponsored by Likud MK Avichai Boaron, the legislation would also narrow the definition of political, personal and business ties that disqualify a candidate, and allow the relevant ministers to appoint the head of the committee vetting the suitability of their chosen candidate.

The bill’s explanatory notes assert that its purpose is aimed at ensuring “representation of people from the social and geographical periphery in government companies.”

The bill will now move to the Knesset House Committee to determine which committee should prepare it for the next three readings necessary for it to become law.

In a statement last month, the Attorney General’s Office slammed Boaron’s bill, declaring that it would “turn government companies into a pool of positions for the appointment of insiders.”

Such changes “harm the professionalism of the companies’ management and will harm the........

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