BICOM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the Likud primary with 85 percent of the votes counted early this morning. The PM beat his only rival Moshe Feiglin 75 per cent to 24 per cent. Due to the fear of a low voter turnout, the closing hour of the polling stations was postponed to 11.00 pm. In the end voter turnout was 45 per cent – more than in the previous primary – which pleased Netanyahu’s camp that sought a higher vote turnout in order to weaken the influence of Feiglin, who represents the far-right and settler movement within the party.

Following yesterday’s vote, speculation continued to mount of a possible general election this year. According to senior ministers, cited across the Israeli media, Netanyahu has in the past considered moving up election to October 2012 – a year ahead of when elections are due. However, contrary to expectation, not only did Netanyahu not announce a general election late last night, he predicted that there was “still time” before general elections would take place.

Despite Netanyahu’s remarks, high-ranking ministers in Likud, cited in a Yedioth Ahronoth report, have said that the PM has held meetings on moving the election date forward and has indicated that the issue would be examined following the results of the Kadima primary expected in late March.