Eli Cohen and Yariv Levin Lead Likud Primaries as Four Ministers Face Possible Ouster

The Likud party primaries are unfolding with about 65% of the ballots counted, revealing a clearer picture of the party's candidate rankings. Eli Cohen currently leads the list, followed by Yariv Levin and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Miri Regev holds the fourth spot, with Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz completing the top five. Other notable candidates in the upper half include Miki Zohar, Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, Amichai Shikli, Dudi Amsalem, and Moshe Saada. Tali Gottlieb, who has been involved in recent political disputes, is also positioned relatively high on the list.

While the top ranks show some separation, the competition for the lower realistic spots remains extremely tight, with margins of only a few dozen votes in some cases. Knesset member Boaz Bismuth is currently in danger of losing his seat, alongside Minister Zeev Elkin and Knesset member Amit Halevi, who are all fighting to secure their places. At this stage, MK Hanoch Milwitsky and Ministers Idit Silman, May Golan, and Avi Dichter are outside the realistic list of candidates likely to enter the Knesset. However, since over a third of the ballots have yet to be counted, these results could still change.