About 140,000 Likud Members Vote Today to Determine Party List for 26th Knesset

On Monday, approximately 140,000 eligible Likud party members are voting to select the party's candidate list for the 26th Knesset. This internal primary is the largest among Israeli parties holding primaries, with previous turnout averaging around 57%. A total of 124 candidates are competing: 79 for the national list and 45 for district representation. Voting is taking place at 80 polling stations across Israel.

The national list competition is expected to be especially intense. Each member can vote for up to 12 candidates, but the number of open spots is limited due to reserved slots allocated to Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu holds eight reserved positions on the list, specifically at places 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 29. These reserved spots do not include Israel Katz, who occupies a reserved slot as the current Defense Minister. Additionally, seven district candidates will be elected separately by district members and placed in designated positions on the list.

Likud officials estimate that around 20,000 votes may be sufficient to secure a realistic spot on the list, but candidates aiming for higher positions will need significantly more support. The competition thus focuses not only on entering the list but also on securing a favorable ranking, which will influence candidates’ chances of entering the next Knesset. Alongside the national race, district-level contests are ongoing, with each district selecting its representative. The party’s representation guarantees mechanism will also affect the final list order.

As polling stations open, thousands of activists, candidates, and campaign leaders are mobilized for this decisive day. The outcome will shape one of the key party lists in the upcoming national elections, determining who will represent Likud in the 26th Knesset and who will be excluded.