Netanyahu's party primary sees lower turnout than in 2022

The primary election for Israel's right-wing Likud party concluded with a lower voter turnout than in 2022. Approximately 53% of the party's nearly 140,000 members cast their ballots, according to Israeli newspaper YNet. This figure is down from the 58% participation rate seen four years ago.

The primary was held to select the party's candidates for the general election scheduled for October 27. Likud members voted for 12 candidates for the national list and one for each district. Current polls suggest the Likud may secure between 22 and 24 seats in the upcoming Knesset, a decrease from the 32 seats they obtained in the 2022 elections.

Despite the lower turnout and declining poll numbers, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position as party leader is not at risk. The selection of the party leader and the head of the electoral list occurs in a separate process. Furthermore, Netanyahu retains the authority to appoint individuals to eight other positions on the Likud lists, a privilege granted by the party's central committee, which enhances his influence.

Israel operates under a unicameral parliamentary system. The Knesset, elected every four years through universal and proportional suffrage, selects the president (a largely ceremonial role) and the prime minister from among its members, and is responsible for legislating.