Likud Committee Debates Primaries Reform Ahead of August Elections

The Likud Constitution Committee held a heated meeting on the possible changes to the party's primary election system, lasting over an hour and a half in the Knesset. The session took place despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to postpone it until Sunday. Committee chairman and Minister Haim Katz insisted the meeting proceed as planned and announced it was a preliminary discussion ahead of a decisive follow-up meeting on Sunday, which Netanyahu will attend.

Participants included Minister Haim Katz, Likud CEO David Sharan, lawyer Ilan Bombach, and Knesset faction chairman Ofir Katz. Notably absent was MK David Bitan, who was expected to present a competing proposal. Various suggestions were discussed regarding temporary changes to the primary system, electoral districts, and reserved slots on the party list. These proposals will be voted on during Sunday’s continuation meeting, with details to be provided in the official summons.

Bitan's proposal reportedly limits reserved slots to four, contrasting with Netanyahu's plan to allow ten. This expansion has drawn sharp criticism from some Likud MKs, who fear it undermines internal party democracy and restricts opportunities for new candidates. One MK openly compared the move to the opposition party Yesh Atid, emphasizing the need to "give people a chance to be elected."

The committee had previously approved holding the Likud primaries on August 4, 2026, with the voter registration deadline set for July 10. Meanwhile, other right-wing parties are also preparing for internal elections, with the Religious Zionist Party scheduling theirs for July 26 and candidate registration closing on July 21.

The upcoming Sunday meeting will finalize key decisions on the number of reserved slots, the primary election method, and district divisions, directly shaping Likud’s candidate list for the next Knesset elections.