Israeli PM faces leadership vote ahead of snap polls
1 Jan 2015 10:12 PM GMT
Members of Israel’s ruling Likud began voting on Wednesday for their party leader with rightwing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking another term at the helm ahead of snap elections in March.
The primary, in which 96,651 members are eligible to vote, is the first electoral hurdle for Netanyahu who is hoping to secure a third consecutive term in office.
Political analysts say Netanyahu is expected to win the party vote in the face of just one challenge from Danny Danon, a former deputy defence minister and outspoken member of the party’s far-right fringe.
Members are also voting to determine the frontrunners on the party list for the March 17 general election.
The primary polls opened at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) with voters casting their ballots at 115 locations across Israel and settlements in the occupied West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem.
The primary, in which 96,651 members are eligible to vote, is the first electoral hurdle for Netanyahu who is hoping to secure a third consecutive term in office.
Political analysts say Netanyahu is expected to win the party vote in the face of just one challenge from Danny Danon, a former deputy defence minister and outspoken member of the party’s far-right fringe.
Members are also voting to determine the frontrunners on the party list for the March 17 general election.
The primary polls opened at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) with voters casting their ballots at 115 locations across Israel and settlements in the occupied West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem.
Next Story
