Netanyahu allies dominate Likud rankings

With 91.2 percent of the votes counted in yesterday’s Likud primaries, the list of candidates for the Knesset elections on October 27 is beginning to take shape.

At the top of the list — after party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads the slate — is Energy Minister Eli Cohen, followed by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Transport Minister Miri Regev and coalition whip Ofir Katz, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The sixth and seventh spots went to the current Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Culture Minister Miki Zohar.

The first surprise came in eighth place, where newcomer Almog Cohen secured a position after recently leaving Itamar Ben Gvir’s party and announcing his candidacy for Likud only last week.

Controversial lawmaker Tali Gotliv is the second woman to appear among the top 20, taking 12th place. According to current polls, these are the only positions considered realistically likely to win seats.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi ranked 13th, while Economy Minister Nir Barkat came 16th, putting both in potentially vulnerable positions.

Ten spots within the top 20 of the electoral list have been reserved for Netanyahu’s personal appointments, pushing candidates favored by the primaries into positions considered at risk, as Likud is currently projected to win around 23–26 seats according to polls.

If the current results and projections are confirmed, at least five of the current ministers would fail to enter the next parliament.

Photo: Israel PM's Office