Bitan Submits Five-Slot Counterproposal for Likud Primaries

Likud MK David Bitan submitted an alternative primary-rules proposal Sunday evening after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed the party Constitution Committee meeting until Monday. The plan keeps full nationwide primaries, lets each member choose up to 12 candidates, and gives Netanyahu five reserved slots at positions 2, 6, 16, 39 and 48. Nine district representatives would be elected directly by members in their districts, with district slots placed between positions 26 and 40. At least one woman would appear in every ten places through position 50; the party has not yet adopted the proposal.