Likud Central Committee Approves Netanyahu's Reserved Seats and Electoral District Changes

The Likud party's central committee narrowly approved a series of party rule changes demanded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the upcoming primaries. Approximately 3,400 of 4,500 committee members (about 73%) voted to grant Netanyahu eight reserved spots on the Knesset list, specifically at positions 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 29. Additionally, the number of electoral districts was reduced from ten to seven, with these districts assigned to list positions 27 through 42.

Tensions peaked during the vote on a proposal by Minister Haim Katz, which allows current ministers and Knesset members to run within these districts where the vote threshold for election is significantly lower than on the national list. This proposal passed by only a handful of votes, with one clause approved by a margin of five votes and another by just two votes favoring Netanyahu. Due to the razor-thin margins, party insiders anticipate potential legal battles over the results.

The changes create unprecedented competition on the national list, as even if Likud wins 30 seats, only 15 to 18 spots remain open for about 40 incumbent ministers and MKs competing. The vote followed the party's internal court rejecting attempts to cancel the primaries in case of an emergency, affirming that the primaries will proceed as scheduled. The court emphasized that Likud is not a one-man party and must maintain its vitality by holding primaries as planned.