Likud Closing in on Compromise Over Primary Rules and Timing

Likud’s constitution committee is set to meet on Thursday to decide the timing and rules for the party’s primary election, after a prolonged legal and political fight inside the governing party. The dispute pits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp against a group of central activists led by MK David Bitan.

According to the emerging compromise, Netanyahu would receive about eight reserved slots, up to around the 30th place on the party list. The nationwide list would also be extended to nearly the 40th spot, and the regional district component would be cut back. If the general election is held on the expected date of October 20, Likud’s internal primary would likely take place in August.

The fight is over how much influence Netanyahu can exert over the party slate in a system that traditionally chooses candidates by membership vote. Likud is expected to have roughly 120,000 to 160,000 eligible members, and Netanyahu’s allies fear a weak list could hurt the party’s chances in the next election. They are especially concerned about behind-the-scenes deals among activists that could push less appealing candidates to the top.

Party insiders say the constitution committee is still likely to approve primaries rather than cancel them entirely in favor of a committee controlled by Netanyahu. In return for expanding the national list, Netanyahu would reportedly drop his original demand for 10 reserved spots and settle for eight. Under the proposed formula, only seven to eight sitting MKs and ministers would be pushed out, compared with more than 20 under the current system, while district candidates would be relegated to largely nonviable positions. The districts would also be merged from 10 into five or six. Any committee decision will still require approval by the Likud party convention, which is expected to back a compromise by a large majority.