Netanyahu’s Likud power play: allies favoured as party faces brutal internal election battle

Approximately 34 ministers and MPs are competing for around 17 realistic positions on the Likud party’s electoral list, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already making strategic interventions in the process. The internal party election is shaping up to be one of the most contested in recent years, with senior allies Gideon Sa’ar and Eli Cohen marked as frontrunners, whilst some candidates are expected to deliver surprise results. Netanyahu has begun exerting influence over regional voting patterns, signalling his preferred candidates to party members. The real power struggle is expected to intensify significantly after the votes are counted, with the Prime Minister facing pressure over the remaining ‘safe seat’ positions that remain under his direct control. These highly coveted spots on the list traditionally guarantee entry into the Knesset for whoever occupies them, making them among the most valuable prizes in Israeli politics. The battle reflects broader tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition government, where ministerial appointments and parliamentary representation remain key currencies of political power.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.