The National Religious Party is conducting its internal primaries today, in which the Central Committee will choose the party's Knesset Members for the 16th Knesset. The first spot on the list is reserved for party leader Infrastructures Minister Effie Eitam, and about 20 other candidates are vying for the remaining 5-6 "safe" seats. Although polls predict that the party will not receive more than five Knesset seats, some assume that the top two MKs will resign from the Knesset if and when they become government ministers, thus leaving their Knesset seats open for those who follow them on the list.
Several women are competing for the fifth slot on the list, which has been reserved for a woman; they say that a woman on the list will inspire women around the country to work more enthusiastically for the party, thus increasing its Knesset representation. Former party leader Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, currently the Minister of Tourism, and MK Zevulun Orlev appear to be assured of seats. Former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu has come out in favor of MK Yigal Bibi and former MK Nissan Slomiansky. MK Sha'ul Yahalom fears that a plot against him is afoot, though the party leadership denies this. The 1,030 members of the NRP's Central Committee were chosen nine years ago.
Former Public Security Minister Avigdor Kahalani, former member of the Labor Party and later a founder of the now-defunct Third Way party, has joined the Likud and will run for a Knesset seat on the party list. He supported the first Oslo Agreement, but not the second one...
Several women are competing for the fifth slot on the list, which has been reserved for a woman; they say that a woman on the list will inspire women around the country to work more enthusiastically for the party, thus increasing its Knesset representation. Former party leader Rabbi Yitzchak Levy, currently the Minister of Tourism, and MK Zevulun Orlev appear to be assured of seats. Former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu has come out in favor of MK Yigal Bibi and former MK Nissan Slomiansky. MK Sha'ul Yahalom fears that a plot against him is afoot, though the party leadership denies this. The 1,030 members of the NRP's Central Committee were chosen nine years ago.
Former Public Security Minister Avigdor Kahalani, former member of the Labor Party and later a founder of the now-defunct Third Way party, has joined the Likud and will run for a Knesset seat on the party list. He supported the first Oslo Agreement, but not the second one...