David Hermelin says Netanyahu wants more control over Likud’s list because the party’s internal system no longer reflects the wider public that supports him.
David Hermelin argues that Netanyahu understands a painful political reality: many voters may still want him as prime minister, but do not necessarily want to vote for Likud as it is currently built.
According to Hermelin, Likud’s internal democracy is one of its strengths, but also a weakness. The party’s list is chosen by a relatively small group of activists, regional power brokers, unions, mayors and ideological factions. That system, he says, does not always produce a list that appeals to the much larger public of Likud voters.
This is why Netanyahu is pushing to choose or reserve more senior spots on the Likud list himself. Hermelin says this is partly a power move, but also a strategic attempt to make Likud more attractive to voters who prefer Netanyahu but are unhappy with some figures inside the party.