The reserved slots, the deals, and the MKs on their way out: the end of democracy in Likud?

Netanyahu reduced Likud primaries through reserved slots, leaving only 16 realistic places for voting. The move, which included reserved slots for Sa'ar, Katz, and Katz, sparked opposition and petitions but was approved. Tomorrow, 140,000 party members will vote, but internal democracy will be partial. The article examines whether this is the end of the primary system.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a change in the Likud constitution allowing reserved slots for incumbent MKs, thereby reducing the number of realistic places that Likud members will vote on to about 16 only. The move, which included the districts clause and reserved slots for Gideon Sa'ar, Israel Katz, and Haim Katz, sparked opposition and legal petitions, but was ultimately approved. The article describes how Netanyahu, who feared David Bitan's power in the party center and unflattering polls, worked to upgrade the list from outside, while harming the Likud's primary tradition. Tomorrow, 140,000 party members are expected to vote, but internal democracy will be only partial. The article raises the question of whether this is the end of the primary system in Likud, and compares to the Democrats party that held open primaries.