Likud Primary Elections Face Delays Amid Legal Decision Postponements

The Likud party's primary elections are facing further delays due to a postponed legal ruling. The party's internal court has yet to decide on petitions challenging the decision to allow current Knesset members and ministers to run in regional districts rather than only on the national list. This ruling was expected before the deadline for Knesset members to choose their candidacy path, which was originally set for Monday at 4 p.m. However, the deadline has now been extended by two days to Tuesday, following the delay in the court's decision.

The postponement is linked to unrelated developments involving Michael Kleiner, the head of the Likud court, who will be replaced by an acting judge to issue the ruling. David Sharan, the acting CEO of Likud, authorized the extension for Knesset members to decide their electoral route. Party officials are increasingly concerned that these repeated delays could push back the primary elections themselves, which have already been postponed once. Some within the party even fear the possibility that the primaries might be canceled if the situation remains unresolved.

The ongoing uncertainty around the timing and legal framework of the primaries adds to the internal challenges facing Likud as it prepares for upcoming elections. The party awaits the court's decision, which will clarify the eligibility and candidacy rules for its members and potentially set the schedule for the primaries moving forward.