Netanyahu Remains Likud Leader but Primaries Reveal Limits to His Control

The recent Likud primaries confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains the dominant force within the party, holding a significant lead over all other figures. No one in Likud currently rivals his status, making him the sole alternative to himself. However, the primaries also exposed that Netanyahu's control is not absolute, especially regarding the selection of candidates around him.

Despite efforts to unseat key figures like David Bitan, Nir Barkat, and Tali Gottlieb, all three retained their positions. Bitan's case was particularly notable as he not only survived but also succeeded in placing his preferred candidate, Keren Atias-Bobele, in the new women's slot, defeating Netanyahu's supported candidate, Osnat Zoher. This demonstrates that while Netanyahu's power is immense, the party is not a mere voting machine for his every wish.

Another example is Erez Tadmor, who benefited from Netanyahu's backing but also worked hard independently to secure his win in Jerusalem through persistent media presence and public engagement. This indicates that Netanyahu's support is a powerful lever but cannot replace dedicated political effort.

Looking ahead, Netanyahu faces strategic decisions regarding the reserved slots in the party list. He must decide whether to use these to introduce entirely new faces or to adjust the primary results by promoting candidates who were pushed down. One potential candidate for inclusion is Ze'ev Elkin, who could fill the immigrant representation slot. Netanyahu also needs to consider enhancing representation for the religious Zionist sector and the Ethiopian community, aiming to build a list loyal to his camp yet broad enough to appeal to diverse constituencies.

In summary, Netanyahu remains the strongest figure in Likud with no close rivals, but the party is not under his complete control when it comes to every candidate on the list.