Likud's Nir Barkat Faces Political Setback, Ranks 16th in Primaries Amid Controversy

Nir Barkat, Israel's Minister of Economy and longtime senior Likud member, is confronting a major political challenge after preliminary results from the party's primaries placed him 16th, a position that may exclude him from a realistic spot on the party list. This outcome follows a turbulent period marked by allegations that Barkat attempted to orchestrate a political move to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the October 7 massacre, claims Barkat vehemently denied, accusing Channel 12 of running a campaign against him.

Amidst the controversy, Barkat's team suspected an internal effort within Likud to sideline him, prompting an unusual step: hiring a private investigation and intelligence firm to monitor the voting and counting process. Undercover operatives were reportedly dispatched to polling stations and counting centers, some equipped with documentation tools, to detect any irregularities or interference. Barkat's camp warned that any detected anomalies would be formally challenged.

Despite these precautions, the partial vote count covering about 72% of ballots still places Barkat far from the top positions he sought. The final list, which incorporates reserved spots and regional allocations, could push him even lower, potentially out of the Knesset depending on Likud's electoral performance. This represents a significant political blow to Barkat, a prominent figure who has served as Jerusalem's mayor, a Knesset member, and a minister, and who has long harbored ambitions for higher leadership within the party.