Likud central committee approves Netanyahu's 8 reserved slots, MKs to run in districts

The Likud central committee voted Monday evening to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for eight reserved slots on the party's list, according to i24NEWS and N12 reports. The committee also approved a change to the primary system allowing sitting MKs, ministers, and deputy ministers to run in districts. Earlier, the party's court rejected a proposal to cancel primaries in an emergency, stating that 'Likud is not a one-man party.'

The Likud party's central committee voted Monday evening to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for eight reserved slots on the party's Knesset list, capping a day of tight voting and internal maneuvering. The committee also approved a change allowing sitting MKs, ministers, and deputy ministers to run in the districts. The proposals passed by a narrow margin of just six votes, with 73% turnout among nearly 4,000 voters, according to N12 and i24NEWS.

Earlier Monday, the party's court rejected a proposal to cancel primaries, stating that 'Likud is not a one-man party,' according to i24NEWS. Throughout the afternoon, reporting from the convention showed the reserved slots clause passing easily, while the district candidacy measure hung on a margin of about 200 votes before being confirmed. The final tally, reported by N12's Amit Segal, confirmed approval by a six-vote margin.

The vote resolves weeks of internal negotiations over the list composition. As The Zioneer reported earlier, Netanyahu had demanded up to ten reserved slots and threatened to leave the party if his demands were not met. The compromise on eight slots was reached after extended talks, with the party's leadership ultimately preserving the primary process while granting the prime minister significant influence over the slate.

The final Likud list will be determined by a combination of the eight reserved slots and district elections. The exact placement of the reserved slots — up to position 30 — and the broader impact on the party's internal balance remain to be seen.

19 developments

1. 3 hours ago · 00:17 · 28 JulLatest

   Likud reports nearly 75% of central committee members backed the proposal.

2. 23:34 · 27 Jul

   Netanyahu's proposal on Section 2 passed by a 6-vote margin.

3. 23:32 · 27 Jul

   Likud officials confirm narrow five-vote margin on proposal #2.

• Strong17:36 · 13 JulMinister Haim Katz's compromise proposal approved by Likud committee
• Strong21:03 · 28 JunNetanyahu, Katz nearing agreement on Likud reserved slots ahead of primaries
• Strong16 hours ago · 11:30 · 27 JulKatz opens Likud conference voting, backs Netanyahu's proposals
• Strong12:59 · 15 JulBitan: Netanyahu surrenders to Haim Katz over Likud list

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