Likud postpones primaries to August amid debate over Netanyahu’s influence on party list

The Likud party's primaries have been rescheduled to August 4, a postponement from the original July 28 date, following a unanimous vote by the Likud Constitution Committee.

This decision was made amidst reports of impending changes to the party's primary system. These potential alterations could grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greater influence in determining the highest-ranked positions on the Likud's Knesset list. While no final decision has been announced regarding Netanyahu's control over these slots, updated rules and procedures are anticipated to be released this Thursday, according to Housing and Construction Minister Haim Katz, who chairs the Likud Central Committee and Constitution Committee.

The deadline for closing the voter registry for the primaries, initially set for July 7, is also expected to be extended to July 10. The proposed changes to the primary system have reportedly faced internal opposition from senior Likud figures, including Katz and MK David Bitan.

Netanyahu has reportedly been in discussions with Katz regarding these changes. Reports suggest that Netanyahu has sought to alter the primary method this year to secure more control over the list's top positions. Some reports even indicate that Netanyahu has threatened to leave the Likud party if these proposed changes are not advanced. Unlike some parties, Likud has historically prided itself on holding primaries where its over 100,000 registered members vote for the Knesset list.

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While no decision has been announced on allowing Netanyahu to control the first slots, the updated rules and procedures for the primaries are expected to be released on Thursday.