Likud Primaries Near Completion as Netanyahu Tops Party List for Next Knesset

With approximately 90% of votes counted in the Likud party primaries, the final candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections is taking shape. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to lead the list, followed by Eli Cohen in second place. The third and fifth slots are reserved for party quotas, with Israel Katz expected to take fourth. Other senior Likud figures such as Amir Ohana, Yariv Levin, and Miri Regev are positioned within the top ten, with Regev being the highest-ranking woman at eighth place.

The list also reflects the integration of district representatives and quota placements, which has shifted some veteran politicians to lower positions. Notably, Nir Barkat has been pushed down to 24th place, while new and returning candidates like Miki Zohar, Almog Cohen, and Gideon Sa'ar secure spots in the mid-teens to twenties. The list includes several women, with Tali Gottlieb at 20th, Gila Gamliel at 25th, and Keren Atias Bublil entering at 34th through a special women's quota.

The primaries' results combine national vote rankings with reserved slots for district winners and representation guarantees, causing significant reshuffling compared to the raw vote order. This system ensures a mix of established leaders and new faces, balancing regional and gender representation. The final list is expected to be officially confirmed soon as the vote count concludes.