Israel’s Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to conduct primary elections for its Knesset candidate list by July 28, as confirmed by the party’s constitution committee. This move comes amid a politically competitive landscape as the party gears up for future national elections. Although the exact date for the primaries is yet to be finalized, the election will determine the ranking of candidates below Netanyahu, whose leadership position in the party remains unchallenged.
As the largest party in the Knesset with 32 seats, Likud employs a primary system to select its parliamentary candidates. The upcoming primaries are poised to draw significant attention, with party members vying for key positions on the electoral list. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is reportedly aiming to secure top slots for several favored candidates, a strategy that has met with resistance from some current lawmakers worried about their political futures.
Recent informal polls among party activists have shown strong backing for figures like Amir Ohana and Eli Cohen. However, party officials caution that the preferences of activists do not always reflect the final outcomes of the primaries. This dynamic highlights ongoing discussions within the party about balancing candidate appeal to both the core base and moderate right-wing and undecided voters, whose support could be pivotal in a tightly contested national election.
In the wider political context, current polling indicates that while Likud continues to be a dominant force in Israeli politics, it faces growing challenges from opposition coalitions led by leaders like Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Polls suggest that neither the ruling bloc nor the opposition has a clear parliamentary majority at present, suggesting that post-election coalition negotiations could be particularly complex.
The results of Likud’s primaries are anticipated to significantly influence the party’s electoral strategy and leadership dynamics as it prepares for the next national elections in Israel. With no clear majority in sight, the political landscape post-election may be shaped heavily by these internal party decisions.