Netanyahu Weighs a New Likud Primary Formula Amid Growing Internal Pushback

Prime Minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu is examining a compromise for the party’s candidate-selection process, after Likud mayors proposed scrapping primaries entirely and replacing them with a steering committee. According to a Ynet report, Netanyahu’s plan would extend the national list to the 40th spot, with district candidates entering the race only from there onward.

The proposal would also eliminate the reserved slots previously set aside for a woman, a young candidate, an ultra-Orthodox candidate, a minority representative and a new immigrant. In return, Netanyahu would receive nine reserved places, three in each of the first three blocs of ten. Supporters of the move include senior Likud mayors, among them Haim Bibas, head of the Federation of Local Authorities and mayor of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut.

Likud figures say Bibas may be seeking a reserved slot himself, which would also help other Likud mayors if he enters the Knesset and vacates his local-government post. Political sources say Netanyahu is now looking beyond candidates who can simply win primaries and wants broader talents, especially as polls pose a major challenge. He is also aiming to appeal to younger voters through suitable reserved places, in a bid to gain unexpected momentum, similar to how Itamar Ben Gvir has done.

About two weeks ago, the Likud secretariat met, and chairman Haim Katz said he was waiting for clear instructions from Netanyahu, warning that otherwise he would convene the central committee to decide. Critics inside the party argue that the primaries are essential to Likud’s democracy. One MK said talk of a steering committee was meant to prepare the ground for 8 to 10 reserved seats, but added that abolishing primaries “cannot happen.” Another Likud official from the south said the party “is not a one-man party” and warned that ending primaries would turn Likud into “another Labor party.”

The controversy comes as Likud is already set to skip the leadership primary, after no one ran against Netanyahu. If the slate primaries are also canceled, it would be the second time internal elections in the party are scrapped. Last week, Likud internal auditor attorney Shai Galili ruled that Netanyahu’s demand to cancel primaries is unlawful and said member approval is required to establish a steering committee. Despite the pressure, several candidates and party activists say primaries are what energize the base, connect the party to the field and keep political influence in the hands of ordinary members.