Highly competitive Likud primaries set as Netanyahu holds expanded control over Knesset slate

Likud members are heading to the polls Monday for party primaries, with over 140,000 registered voters casting ballots. The election comes amid significant internal friction over recent changes that have consolidated Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu's influence over the party's Knesset list.

Netanyahu has publicly stated his trust in Likud members to choose a "winning slate," while also asserting he is "not interfering in the national list." However, his push to alter the traditional primary system, which historically allowed members to vote for the entire Knesset list, has led to a particularly competitive race. Netanyahu was granted the authority to personally select eight candidates within the top 30 spots on the party list following a vote by the Likud Central Committee.

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I trust you, Likud members, to choose your representatives correctly, according to your own judgment. I am not interfering in the national list, and I wish everyone success.

These changes have fueled opposition from some within the party who argue they will disadvantage candidates who would otherwise rank higher. The competitive nature of the primaries is further intensified by projections suggesting the Likud party will win approximately 22 seats in the upcoming general elections, a significant drop from the roughly 40 ministers and MKs currently serving. This disparity means many incumbents are at risk of losing their positions.

Adding to the electoral tensions, the Tel Aviv District Court recently rejected an attempt by Likud MK Afif Abed to ease restrictions on district primaries. The court's decision leaves in place rules that limit who can run in these primaries, further shaping the landscape for candidates. Netanyahu has already used some of his reserved slots, notably allocating one to entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky and others to ministers Israel Katz, Gideon Sa’ar, and Haim Katz.

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for a winning slate