Netanyahu rose through Likud democracy. Now he risks hollowing it out from within – analysis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's significant influence over the upcoming Likud primary, controlling 11 of the top 29 positions on the party's Knesset slate, is causing internal party strife. This move, which includes eight personal selections and guaranteed spots for three senior ministers, is seen by some as an attempt to settle scores, particularly with Economy Minister Nir Barkat, who reportedly tried to replace Netanyahu after October 7. The article highlights a tension between Likud's democratic primary system, which historically aided Netanyahu's rise, and his current efforts to shape the list to appeal to a broader electorate beyond the party's base. Critics argue that while the goal is to add candidates with diverse expertise, the scale of Netanyahu's intervention risks "hollowing out the primary itself," undermining the party's democratic identity.