Likud Primaries Enter Final Hours with Focus on Logistics and Free Voters

As the Likud party primaries approach the close of voting, party headquarters report a calmer atmosphere than expected, with fewer political dramas and last-minute changes. Instead, the final hours are dominated by logistical preparations, phone calls, and coordination efforts to ensure smooth voting processes across all polling stations. A party insider noted that while most of the political deals are settled, the key uncertainty lies with the "free votes", those party members not bound by political agreements, who could decide the outcome of list positions 15 to 18.

Candidates such as Nir Barkat and Almog Cohen are seen as gaining significant momentum, but the real competition is concentrated in the crowded middle of the list, involving Knesset members and hopefuls like Amit Halevi, Hanoch Milwitsky, and Avichai Boaron. Halevi's campaign is deploying activists to every polling station, including smaller and remote locations, to ensure no potential vote is lost. Party advisors emphasize the challenge of having representatives at every ballot box to remind voters of agreements and secure votes.

Behind the scenes, the focus is on last-minute organizational tasks: finalizing voter lists, setting up polling stations, and managing the unpredictable schedule of the election day. Candidates have shifted their efforts to media appearances to maintain visibility, as the political landscape is largely set. One insider remarked, "The political is already closed. Now everyone is fighting for media presence."

Ultimately, the final phase of the Likud primaries has become a logistical operation aimed at translating political agreements into actual votes. Every phone call, activist, and voter could influence the final composition of the party list, underscoring the critical importance of turnout and coordination in these decisive hours.