Netanyahu Secures Advantage as Likud Drops Proposal Limiting Party List Reservations

Ahead of the Likud party conference vote on Thursday, a proposal by MK David Bitan to limit the number of reserved spots (sharionim) on the party's Knesset list was removed from the agenda. Instead, delegates will vote on a competing proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud Secretariat Chairman Haim Katz, which grants Netanyahu eight reserved slots on the list for the 26th Knesset elections. This move is seen as a clear victory for Netanyahu, allowing him to maintain broad control over the party list composition.

Bitan criticized the decision sharply, accusing Haim Katz of pressuring Netanyahu to promote the proposal. He urged delegates to vote against the Netanyahu-Katz plan, arguing it concentrates too much power in the prime minister's hands and undermines internal party democracy. Bitan also suggested that if the current proposals are rejected, Netanyahu could present a new plan without Katz's influence.

In addition to the reservation debate, another proposal by Katz to allow MKs to run in multiple party districts simultaneously will also be voted on. This idea has sparked internal controversy, with some fearing it could disadvantage new candidates seeking to enter the list. Earlier in the week, a heated exchange between Netanyahu and Bitan occurred during the Likud Constitution Committee meeting, where Katz's proposals were approved by majority vote. Bitan left the session angrily after the confrontation.

The conference vote, starting at noon, will determine the future of the party's primary system and the distribution of reserved spots, significantly impacting the Likud list structure and Netanyahu's influence ahead of the upcoming elections.