Waiting for a reserved spot? Almog Cohen did not submit his candidacy for the Likud primaries

Our correspondent Avraham Hasson reported this Tuesday evening that Deputy Minister Almog Cohen did not submit his candidacy for the Likud party primaries after the deadline passed. This raises the question: did Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promise him a reserved spot in his party, or is Cohen planning to run at the head of a new faction?

Almog did not arrive to submit his candidacy. Metzudat Ze'ev, the Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv | Photo: Tomer Neuberg, Flash 90

Contrary to rumors and hints regarding Almog Cohen's intention to run in the Likud primaries, it became clear after the submission deadline that Cohen decided not to proceed. As previously reported, the Likud constitution committee approved a plan granting Netanyahu eight reserved spots. This suggests the possibility of a deal in which Cohen was promised a reserved spot, rendering the need for a primary run unnecessary.

Another possibility stems from information provided by Matti Tuchfeld, head of the political desk at C14. According to him, Cohen has been examining various frameworks for his run in the upcoming elections, including ongoing contacts with the party of former MK Moshe Feiglin.

"Within the framework of the contacts between them, Cohen and Feiglin recently met at the G complex in Kfar Saba. The meeting was also attended by senior officials in Feiglin's party as well as the Deputy Minister's chief of staff. The negotiations dealt with Cohen joining the party of Feiglin and Ben-Ari in a high position on their list for the Knesset."