Likud Candidates Face Double Fee Increase for Upcoming Primaries

Ahead of the upcoming Likud party primaries, candidates were surprised to learn that the registration fee has doubled from 10,000 to 20,000 shekels for Knesset members and ministers. This sharp increase, confirmed by party sources, marks a significant rise compared to previous primaries and has raised questions within the party. The announcement came from Likud's acting CEO David Sharan, who explained that candidates must pay the fee via bank transfer from their personal accounts to the party's official account. He also noted that candidates can reclaim the fee after opening their election accounts and must submit funding requests to the Knesset Speaker 20 days before the primaries, by next Wednesday.

The fee hike affects not only national list candidates who are Knesset members or ministers but also district candidates, whose fees have risen from 5,000 to 10,000 shekels. Regular national list candidates who are neither ministers nor Knesset members will now pay 15,000 shekels, up from 10,000. The preparations for the primaries are reportedly slow, with some Knesset members claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still attempting to undermine the process. The Likud Constitution Committee is scheduled to meet today to discuss proposals related to the primaries. Netanyahu is expected to attend this meeting, where final decisions will be made. Following the committee's decisions, secret ballots will be conducted through voting centers within the party.