BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set an early date for leadership primaries in the Likud Party, which he leads. The primaries are to take place on 31 January. Israeli media reports this morning suggest that Netanyahu decided to bring the primaries forward in an effort to take advantage of his current high standing. Opinion polls currently suggest that the Likud would  form the next government in Israel. Netanyahu’s personal ratings are also high, in part because of the recent deal to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

General elections are not mandatory in Israel until 2013. However, according to a Likud official quoted in Ynet today, Netanyahu’s move shows that he is ‘not afraid’ of earlier elections, due to Likud’s strong standing in polls.

According to the Likud’s constitution, primaries must be held at least six months ahead of elections to the Knesset. In public, at least, Netanyahu has said that he expects the current government to serve its full term.

Netanyahu’s main rival within Likud, Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom, is opposed to the early primaries, which he sees as an attempt by Netanyahu to wrong-foot his rivals in the party and prevent them from organising an effective campaign. Shalom has said that he will take legal action against the decision.