Likud ministers back Netanyahu's reserved slots as party holds primaries

Likud ministers on Monday defended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to reserve eight slots on the party's list for the upcoming primaries. This move means that if the party wins its projected 22 seats in the October election, only 14 will be chosen by registered Likud voters.

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We need to build a good team beside and behind Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter stated at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem that the party needs to "build a good team beside and behind Prime Minister Netanyahu." He characterized the primaries as a "celebration of democracy," noting that approximately 140,000 registered Likud members were eligible to vote.

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There are a few more now, but they allow the prime minister, who has to coordinate the entire system, including alliances between parties and preserving the bloc, to continue leading Likud to victory.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi defended the reserved slots as a continuation of a practice from previous elections, arguing they allow the prime minister to "continue leading Likud to victory" by coordinating alliances and preserving the bloc. He emphasized that beyond these reserved positions, all other candidates compete in primaries.

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It’s a celebration of democracy.

However, Transportation Minister Miri Regev acknowledged that while the primaries are a "celebration of democracy," the reserved slots make "half of the list democratic, and half of the list consists of reserved slots." Culture Minister Miki Zohar expressed full support for Netanyahu and was unconcerned by the reserved slots.

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There’s no doubt that with the reserved slots, half of the list is democratic, and half of the list consists of reserved slots.