Likud Primaries Set to Oust Over Half of Incumbent MKs in Fierce Contest

The Likud party is preparing for its primary elections scheduled for this coming Monday, where 40 candidates, mostly incumbent Members of Knesset (MKs) and ministers, will compete for just over 20 available spots. According to recent polls, this primary race is one of the toughest in the party's history. After excluding the reserved slots held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and adding new contenders like Almog Cohen, the competition is expected to be intense. The outcome could see more than half of the current Likud MKs losing their seats in the Knesset. This development highlights the internal challenges within the ruling party ahead of the 2026 elections.