Likud Faces Internal Turmoil Over Possible Cancellation of Primaries Ahead of Elections

The Likud party is experiencing growing internal tension amid speculation that it may forgo its traditional primary elections and instead form its Knesset candidate list through a special organizing committee. This shift is believed to be driven by tight timelines and logistical challenges in holding primaries by early August. Several Likud MKs and ministers suspect that party leader Benjamin Netanyahu has struck a deal to bypass the democratic primary process, allowing greater control over the list's composition.

Recent reports indicate that the organizing committee would largely preserve current list placements but enable Netanyahu to influence the inclusion of new candidates. Last Sunday, Likud's Constitution Committee chairman, Minister Haim Katz, met with Netanyahu at his home, reportedly reaching agreements that have fueled speculation about delaying the committee's convening and the primary mechanism decision to facilitate this approach.

Party insiders note that preparations for primaries have not started, and the deadline for MKs to apply for primary campaign funding is July 15, making the timeline increasingly tight. MK David Bitan has petitioned the Likud court to mandate formal primary regulations amid delays and demands that Netanyahu’s personal reserved slots on the list be subject to secret ballots rather than open voting.

While many senior ministers privately support the organizing committee plan, backbenchers are vocally opposed, fearing they will be pushed down the list and lose their Knesset seats. One MK expressed frustration, highlighting their loyalty to Netanyahu since the October 7 attacks and warning of political repercussions if the party excludes a large portion of the faction in favor of Netanyahu’s close allies. He cautioned that such moves could trigger immediate political fallout, including defections and challenges to Netanyahu’s leadership.

The MK urged Netanyahu to reconsider and maintain realistic list placements for most faction members rather than prioritizing only a few top figures like Haim Katz and Eti Atiya. The internal conflict underscores the party’s struggle to balance democratic processes with leadership control ahead of the upcoming elections.