Likud Primaries Conclude With Surprising Winners and Notable Losses

The Likud party primaries concluded with approximately 80,000 members voting to determine the party's candidate list for the upcoming Knesset elections. The results solidified the positions of key figures supporting judicial reform while pushing several incumbent ministers and MKs beyond the realistic entry threshold for the next Knesset.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen emerged as the surprise winner, securing the top spot on the national list just after party leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Close behind were Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, both prominent advocates of the judicial reform camp. Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz made a significant leap to fifth place nationally and tenth on the final list, credited to his legislative achievements and parliamentary presence. Newcomer MK Almog Cohen, who recently joined from Otzma Yehudit, also broke into the top ten, marking the only fresh face to enter the national list.

Despite internal challenges, former Likud chairman David Bitan and MK Tali Gottlieb secured their spots within the realistic range. Regional results reflected party sentiments, with Effi Naveh winning in the Coastal Plain district and Erez Tadmor representing Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria in a winnable position.

On the losing side, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, Environment Minister Idit Silman, and Social Equality Minister May Golan failed to secure realistic placements. Economy Minister Nir Barkat ranked 24th, with political scenarios possibly pushing him further down. Several notable MKs, including Ze'ev Elkin, Nissim Vaturi, Hanoch Milvitsky, and others, were also excluded. Some MKs had already announced they would not run.

Reactions varied: Justice Minister Yariv Levin framed the results as a strong mandate to continue judicial reforms, stating, "A huge public demands the completion of the judicial reform." Hanoch Milvitsky accepted his loss gracefully, emphasizing democratic principles. Tali Gottlieb, despite winning a realistic spot, criticized Netanyahu's circle for attempts to undermine her, highlighting the resilience of right-wing Likud voters.

The primaries thus reflect a consolidation of the judicial reform faction within Likud, reshaping the party's parliamentary lineup ahead of the elections.