"A huge victory! Thank you to the members of Likud for their confidence, their support and their affection," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched on Twitter Thursday evening, an hour after the end of the poll to elect the leader of his party, the Likud.
If partial results of this primary credit him for an easy victory over his rival Gideon Saar, the full official results are not expected until Friday morning. But an internal poll conducted among voters gives it largely in mind, with almost 72% of the vote.
"With your help and that of God, I will lead Likud to a great victory in the elections (in March, editor's note) and we will continue to lead the State of Israel to unprecedented successes," added Benjamin Netanyahu.
Three legislative elections in less than a year
After the polling stations closed at 11 p.m., Gideon Saar, former minister of Benjamin Netanyahu and MP, thanked his supporters, Likud volunteers and voters.
Some 57,000 party members voted for the primary, demanded by Gideon Saar after last month's indictment of 70-year-old Benjamin Netanyahu for corruption, breach of trust and fraud in three cases.
Benjamin Netanyahu, head of Likud since 1993 - apart from six years when the party was led by Ariel Sharon - denounced "false accusations motivated by political considerations". He now has the heavy task of leading the Likud campaign for the March legislative elections, the third in less than a year.
After the early elections in April and September, neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor the centrist Benny Gantz of the "Bleu-Blanc" party managed to rally 61 deputies, the threshold of parliamentary majority to form a government. President Reuven Rivlin had to entrust this task to the Parliament itself, which did not succeed either, precipitating the country towards an additional poll.
With AFP and Reuters
Newsletter Don't miss anything from international news
Don't miss anything from international newssubscribe
google-play-badge_FR