Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly requested a ninth reserved slot on the Likud list beyond the eight already allocated to him, for Michal Bouskila from New Hope, according to an initial report. The move reflects Netanyahu's need for New Hope's funding units and pressure from party leader Gideon Sa'ar, amid a petition by MK Shochat.
The request for a ninth reserved slot represents a significant escalation in coalition negotiations. Netanyahu already controls eight reserved positions on the Likud list, and this additional slot would go to a figure from New Hope, a party led by Gideon Sa'ar. The move is reportedly driven by Netanyahu's interest in New Hope's campaign funding mechanisms and pressure from Sa'ar himself. The request comes amid a petition filed by MK Shochat, who is challenging the allocation of reserved slots.
This development follows a broader pattern of coalition horse-trading over reserved list positions. The Zioneer has previously reported on Netanyahu's efforts to secure multiple reserved slots, including a demand for 10 reserved positions in late June, which faced resistance within Likud. The current request for a ninth slot—and the specific choice of a New Hope figure—underscores the delicate coalition arithmetic ahead of the next Knesset session.
Further details are expected to be released on Saturday night, according to the initial report. The exact status of the petition and the response from coalition partners remain unclear.
- StrongLikud Constitution Committee approves 8 reserved slots for Netanyahu on Knesset list
- StrongNetanyahu demands 11 ministerial portfolios in top 40 Knesset slots
- StrongNetanyahu pushes to reserve top-10 Likud slots for Sa'ar, Kahlon
- DevelopingNetanyahu to receive 8 reserved slots on Likud list, MK Buaron says
Source and signal
- Open-source intake