Likud primaries: Netanyahu moves closer to canceling them and changing how the list is set

Progress is being made in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to change the way the Likud slate for the Knesset is assembled. According to a report by journalist Amit Segal, the format Netanyahu is demanding is a steering committee made up of party mayors and public figures, which would determine the order of the list through the 32nd spot. Party chairman Netanyahu would be able to place seven candidates in reserved spots of his choosing.

Netanyahu's push is being advanced, among other reasons, because seven members of the faction have left during the current Knesset term, alongside claims raised in the State Comptroller's report regarding shortcomings in the party membership roll. During a recent discussion, Netanyahu argued that holding primaries would cost about 12 million shekels and could encourage extremism in the selection of candidates. For the move to take effect, it would need approval by a simple majority in Likud's constitution committee, the party secretariat, and the Likud conference.