Polling stations for the Likud primary elections for parliamentary candidates ahead of the upcoming elections opened at 10 a.m. Thursday, kick starting a vote that will decide the list of Likud members who will sit in the 17th Knesset with Likud Party Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu.
Initial results are expected at around 11 p.m.
Campaigning this year lacked the fanfare atmosphere of the 2003 primaries, with organizers expecting a low turnout because of the stormy weather and the hospitalization of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Who'll join Bibi? Likud members vote (Photo: Eli Elgarat)
Voting by the 3000 Likud central committee members for 96 candidates is overshadowed by a crack that dented the party Wednesday evening, with senior Likud ministers defying Netanyahu’s call for their immediate resignation from the government. Health Minister Danny Naveh, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz and Education Minister Limor Livnat told their leader they won’t resign before Sunday morning.
| Defying Netanyahu |
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| Likud ministers to quit cabinet Sunday / Ilan Marciano |
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Limor Livnat, Silvan Shalom, Yisrael Katz and Danny Naveh expected to resign from government next Sunday, despite Party Chairman Netanyahu's demand that they leave cabinet today (Thursday); On Wednesday Bibi said, 'Kadima is taking steps toward beginning the division of Jerusalem, and Likud cannot serve as an alternative while sitting in the government and executing its policy' |
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Ministers decided to challenge Netanyahu’s decision in spite of threats by the former prime minister to defeat them in Thursday’s primary elections. “Netanyahu put a gun to the ministers’ heads on the eve of the primaries,” a Likud source said Wednesday night. The ministers decided it was more appropriate to quit in an organized fashion during Sunday’s cabinet meeting.
Recent polls have predicted a defeat for Likud in the March 28 general elections; the right-wing party is expected to garner no more than 20 seats in the Knesset, according to the polls.
'Knives will be pulled out'
With Netanyahu and Shalom topping the list, Likud Knesset candidates are scrambling to seize a place in the top 16.
Likud Hawk Uzi Landau (Photo: Eli Elgrat)
Rumors that the list has already been draw through deals struck between the party’s top echelon is also likely to discourage most of the 3000 Likud central committee members from casting a vote.
Without the usual fanfare (Photo: Reuters)
Netanyahu is expected to push for his closest allies to occupy the top 16 places on the list, which will shrink opposition to his policies.
“Netanyahu wants to include as many of his associates to the list because he knows Likud members will never forgive him should he win only 15 seats for the party,” a Likud member said.
“Against Sharon he would have been forgiven for poor results, yet against Olmert he is expected to run with respect. Should he loose to Olmert, knives will be pulled out very fast. He knows this and therefore he is seeking to have his close supporters on the list,” the source added.
_a.jpg "Photo: Yaron Brenner")
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