Likud Committee to Decide on Primaries Amid Internal Dispute and Netanyahu's Reserved Seats Demand

The Likud party's Constitution Committee is set to convene on Sunday to decide the method for selecting the party's Knesset list, with a vote expected on two competing proposals. One plan, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes holding primaries alongside eight reserved slots for Netanyahu. The alternative proposal suggests forming a steering committee to arrange the list, also granting Netanyahu eight reserved spots, with the possibility for Knesset members to be elected as district representatives.

Netanyahu's proposals both secure him a significant number of reserved positions, and the steering committee option could be approved even without his direct endorsement. The likely composition of this committee includes mayors such as Tzvika Brot as chair, alongside Haim Bibas, Ronen Plot, Benny Biton, Yaakov Peretz, and Shay Hajaj. However, the party's 40 ministers and Knesset members face fierce competition for a limited number of slots, as polls show Likud winning about 23 mandates.

Minister Haim Katz, who chairs the Constitution Committee and Likud's central committee, clarified that he does not promote the steering committee option and supports holding primaries. Meanwhile, Knesset member Tali Gottlieb accused ministers Yariv Levin and Israel Katz of secretly working to cancel the primaries to maintain their power through the steering committee. Gottlieb called the idea "absurd" and warned that if primaries are canceled, she would seriously consider not running in the Likud list, emphasizing the party's democratic tradition.

Minister Miri Regev also voiced opposition to the steering committee proposal, stressing the necessity of primaries and expressing hope for an agreement with Netanyahu on the number of reserved slots. Several Likud MKs, including Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz, have announced they will not run in the upcoming primaries. Former MK Gadi Yevarkan left Likud to form a new right-wing socio-economic party named "Beit Israel," aiming to focus on citizens' welfare alongside security.

The committee's decision will shape the Likud's candidate selection process ahead of the elections, with the party members set to vote on Tuesday. The internal debate highlights tensions between maintaining democratic primaries and consolidating leadership control over the party list.