Likud primaries to be held in September
After consulting most faction members, party leader Netanyahu decides to hold primary elections before Jewish New Year, contrary to demand made by his opponent Silvan Shalom
The decision will be brought to the approval of the Likud Central Committee next week. Netanyahu's opponent, Knesset Member Silvan Shalom, demanded in an earlier meeting with the Likud leader that the primaries be held after the High Holidays in order to allow contenders to prepare for the elections.
Netanyahu said that he wanted the elections for the party's leader to be held earlier. After his meeting with Shalom, Netanyahu met with the Likud faction members, some of whom suggested holding the primaries in August. Eventually it was decided that the elections would take place at the beginning of September.
Netanyahu had demanded that the primary elections be moved up "in order for the party to unite and direct all its efforts to the general elections campaign."
MK Silvan Shalom, who demanded early primary elections following the general elections in 2006, is Netanyahu’s main opponent. Right-wing activist Moshe Feiglin is also a candidate for the position of party chairman.
