Likud primary results near: Eli Cohen leads, Ohana-Levin race tightens with 80% of votes counted

The Likud party primaries are in their final stages, with vote counts nearing completion and the party's electoral slate taking shape. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen appears to have secured the leading position, followed closely by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Justice Minister Yariv Levin.

Other key figures in contention for top spots include Transportation Minister Miri Regev and coalition chairman Ofir Katz, who are among the top five. The remainder of the top 10 features Education Minister Yoav Kisch, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, MK Dudi Amsalem, and Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli. However, several other Members of Knesset, including Tally Gotliv, Nir Barkat, and David Bitan, are in tight races for their positions.

Some Likud MKs, such as Hanoch Milwidsky, Women's Advancement Minister May Golan, and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, are currently not in realistic positions and may not secure a Knesset seat based on the raw primary results. The final outcome for these individuals, and others in similar situations, remains uncertain.

A significant factor influencing the final list is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's authority to use reserved slots. These appointments can place candidates higher on the adjusted slate than their primary ranking, potentially pushing others out of the Knesset. For instance, a candidate ranked 17th in the raw results could be placed as low as 25th on the final list due to these reserved slots or district placements.

The primaries, which saw approximately 76,068 Likud members vote across 107 polling sites, were not without controversy. Complaints of alleged fraud, including erasures and alterations at a polling station in Yeruham, were filed, demanding an immediate halt to the vote count at that location.