Likud Faces Intense Primary Battle with 31 Candidates for 12 Knesset Seats

The Likud party is preparing for a fierce internal contest ahead of the upcoming primaries, with 31 candidates competing for only 12 realistic Knesset spots. This situation arises as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to restructure the party list is expected to leave many current ministers and MKs out of the next Knesset. The party's internal court recently froze the reserved slot for Minister Haim Katz, adding to the uncertainty.

Netanyahu is positioned first on the list, with key figures Yariv Levin, Amir Ohana, and Eli Cohen expected to fill the 4th, 5th, and 6th spots. Reserved slots are also planned for Defense Minister Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Oren Dobronski, among others. However, beyond the reserved positions, only 12 seats remain open for incumbent ministers and MKs, intensifying competition.

Among those vying for these limited spots are prominent ministers and MKs including Dudi Amsalem, Yoav Kish, Nir Barkat, Miri Regev, Miki Zohar, and others. Additionally, former minister Ayoub Kara and retired General Uzi Dayan have declared their candidacies. Despite the crowded field, 19 current MKs and ministers are expected to miss out on the top 30 list positions.

The party's use of reserved slots and the new rules approved at the Likud convention have sparked significant frustration and criticism within the party ranks. Some candidates may choose to withdraw before the primaries due to the intense pressure and limited chances. If Likud wins the election, the Norwegian Law could allow some ministers to resign from the Knesset, enabling lower-ranked candidates to enter, but this will still leave about 13 incumbents excluded.

The primaries are scheduled for next week, and the outcome will shape the party's composition and influence its strategy for the 2026 elections.