The Likud party, Israel’s dominant political force, is gearing up for its internal primary elections to decide its lineup for future Knesset elections. The party’s constitution committee, led by Tourism Minister Haim Katz, has unanimously approved these primaries to be conducted by July 28. Although the precise date is pending, this election will rank candidates following party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whose leadership position is undisputed.
With 32 seats, Likud is the largest faction in the current Knesset and employs a primary election system to choose most of its parliamentary representatives. The forthcoming primaries are anticipated to draw significant attention as party members vie for key spots on the electoral list. Reports suggest that Netanyahu intends to secure top positions for certain favored individuals, a move that has sparked concern among some current lawmakers anxious about their future roles and electoral chances.
Informal straw polls among party activists have shown considerable backing for figures like Amir Ohana and Eli Cohen. However, party insiders caution that this preliminary support might not align with the eventual primary outcomes. The party leadership is also mindful of the balance between appealing to its core members and attracting moderate right-wing and undecided voters, whose backing could be decisive in a competitive national election environment.
Likud continues to be a formidable presence in Israeli politics but faces escalating competition from opposition factions spearheaded by leaders such as Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Current opinion polls reflect that neither the ruling coalition nor the opposition commands a definitive parliamentary majority, suggesting that intricate coalition talks may follow the next election.
The results of the Likud primaries are poised to significantly influence the party’s electoral tactics and leadership framework as it prepares for Israel’s impending national elections.