Likud Lowers Primary Registration Fee to Comply with Party Law

Following a report by Channel 14, the Likud party has reversed its initial decision to charge 20,000 shekels as a registration fee for its upcoming primaries. Instead, the party announced it will reduce the fee to 10,000 shekels, aligning with the legal cap set by the Party Law. This correction comes after the original fee exceeded the legal limit, exposing the party to a potential fine of 513,000 shekels.

The party clarified that candidates, including ministers and Knesset members wishing to run, must pay the fee via bank transfer from their personal accounts. Once the dedicated bank account for primary expenses is opened, candidates will be able to reclaim their payments. The move to lower the fee also addresses concerns raised about requiring payment before the primary's format or even its occurrence has been finalized.

To meet the deadlines for submitting funding requests to the Knesset Speaker, Likud set Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as the sole deadline for candidate registration. This adjustment aims to streamline the process and ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements ahead of the 2026 elections.