The long-awaited Likud Knesset primaries, in which the party was to choose its Knesset candidates for the upcoming election, have been postponed. The Tel Aviv District Court ordered the postponement this morning, in response to a petition by Likud candidate Mordechai Halperin. Halperin claimed that the party unjustly retains a particular system for ranking the candidates, and did not even vote on proposed changes.
Halperin's petition related to two specific rule changes: one concerns the election of a religious candidate, and the other relates to the preclusion of incumbent MKs from running on "regional" slots. As it stands, the first 18 slots are reserved for "national" candidates, while the remaining positions are for candidates chosen according to sector or geographical location. Because of the Likud's predicted overwhelming victory in the January election, some 145 candidates are vying for a spot on the list - so that many currently-serving MKs are not expected to be chosen. Some see the refusal to vote on the proposed changes as a "snatch" by the Sharon camp to be rid of MKs who support Netanyahu.
Party officials, in a hasty meeting following the court decision, decided that the Central Committee would in fact vote on the rule changes beginning at noon today. The Committee's nearly 3,000 members will vote until 3 PM, and at 4:00 - six hours later than scheduled - the polls to choose the Knesset candidates will open. The voting will take place in the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds.
Halperin's petition related to two specific rule changes: one concerns the election of a religious candidate, and the other relates to the preclusion of incumbent MKs from running on "regional" slots. As it stands, the first 18 slots are reserved for "national" candidates, while the remaining positions are for candidates chosen according to sector or geographical location. Because of the Likud's predicted overwhelming victory in the January election, some 145 candidates are vying for a spot on the list - so that many currently-serving MKs are not expected to be chosen. Some see the refusal to vote on the proposed changes as a "snatch" by the Sharon camp to be rid of MKs who support Netanyahu.
Party officials, in a hasty meeting following the court decision, decided that the Central Committee would in fact vote on the rule changes beginning at noon today. The Committee's nearly 3,000 members will vote until 3 PM, and at 4:00 - six hours later than scheduled - the polls to choose the Knesset candidates will open. The voting will take place in the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds.