Israel’s Likud party is gearing up for its primary elections to determine the Knesset candidate list by July 28, as it braces for upcoming national elections amid intensifying political rivalry. This decision received unanimous approval from the party’s constitution committee, chaired by Tourism Minister Haim Katz. The primary will establish the ranking of candidates under party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whose position as the top candidate is secure.
Currently holding 32 seats in the Knesset, Likud employs a primary system to form the majority of its parliamentary lineup. The approaching primary is anticipated to be a pivotal event, with party members vying for key roles on the electoral list. Reports have surfaced that Netanyahu is looking to reserve specific spots for favored candidates within the upper echelons of the party slate, a move that has sparked concern among some incumbent lawmakers worried about their own standings and future electoral chances.
Informal voting among party activists has recently shown robust support for figures such as Amir Ohana and Eli Cohen. However, party officials caution that the preferences of activists do not always translate into the final outcomes of the primaries. Additionally, the leadership is considering the possibility that candidates who resonate well with the party’s core supporters might not appeal as strongly to moderate right-wing and undecided voters, whose backing could be crucial in what is expected to be a closely fought national election.
Despite remaining one of Israel’s dominant political entities, Likud faces growing competition from opposition alliances led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Current polls indicate that both the ruling bloc and the opposition lack a definitive parliamentary majority, suggesting that intricate coalition talks may follow the next election. The results of the Likud primaries are poised to significantly impact the party’s electoral approach and leadership arrangement as it heads into the next national vote.