Israel’s Likud vote reveals new power balance around Netanyahu

Israel’s ruling Likud party has completed its internal primaries to determine its candidates for the next elections to the Knesset.

Thirty-nine candidates contested the nationwide portion of the vote, while dozens of others competed for district seats and reserved positions designated, among others, for newcomers, immigrants, non-Jews, people with disabilities and women. More than 120 candidates had initially registered for various positions, according to Israeli media.

About 75,700 Likud members took part in the vote, with turnout reaching 53.28%. Preliminary results showed Energy Minister Eli Cohen finishing first, strengthening his position within the party’s leadership. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also secured strong results.

The primary results will shape Likud’s future parliamentary faction and could affect the internal balance of power around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Attention will now turn to the so-called “reserved seats” controlled by Netanyahu. How those positions are allocated will determine the final composition of Likud’s electoral list for the Knesset election.

A candidate is expected to need more than 20,000 votes to secure a relatively safe position on the list, with about 25,000 votes considered a benchmark. Turnout in Likud’s previous primaries was around 55%-57%.

Judicial reform was one of the central issues in this year’s primary campaign, with candidates’ positions on Israel’s legal system and the government’s legal adviser playing a prominent role.

By Tamilla Hasanova