There was talk regarding Likud party primaries and now it is final; the election for the lineup on the ticket Likud will take place, despite the fact Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opposed them. The pressure resulting from Saar’s bid to unseat Netanyahu coupled with the imminent criminal indictments against the prime minister, has led to the internal party election.

Primaries, the election for the Likud party leadership, is set for December 26, 2019. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is hoping to be re-elected as the party’s leader, challenged by MK Gideon Saar. Saar points out it is time for a change for numerous reasons, including the fact Netanyahu is the party leader since 2005.

To date, only two Likud MKs have openly expressed their backing for Saar: Michal Shir Segman and Yoav Sorek.

Polls show a clear victory is likely for Netanyahu, but the prime minister is working hard to cement support for his reelection, not taking the election lightly.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)