Likud Primaries Conclude With Surprising Winners and Losers Ahead of 2026 Elections
The Likud party's primaries ended after a dramatic night, revealing notable shifts in candidate rankings ahead of the 2026 elections. Minister Yariv Levin secured a strong third place despite controversies surrounding the judicial reform, signaling party voters' support for the reform agenda. Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz made a significant leap from 20th place in the previous primaries to the top five, ensuring a spot within the top ten on the list.
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen achieved an impressive eighth place without a formal campaign, surpassing many senior members after entering the race at the last minute. Knesset member Tali Gottlieb also secured a key position, ranking 12th and becoming the second woman on the Likud list despite facing strong opposition and lacking political deals.
On the other hand, Minister Nir Barkat experienced a sharp decline, dropping from eighth to 24th place, narrowly avoiding falling further to the bottom of the list. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the diverse and attractive list, which closely matches his preferred lineup. However, the final outcome may still face legal challenges and disputes over closely contested spots in the party list.
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