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Spotting on the horizon the decisive elections to unlock the political situation in Israel and clarify his own personal future, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has imposed himself on former minister Gideon Saar with a difference higher than expected (72.5% vs. 27 , 5%) in the Likud primaries that were presented as the most dramatic since 2005. Bibi's famous "magic" among the bases of the conservative party has eliminated all the blows received in his worst year since he returned to power in 2009

After on the one hand he failed in the formation of the Government after the elections of April 9 and September 17 where he lost to the centrist leader Benny Gantz and on the other he became prime minister accused of corruption, Netanyahu can finally smile. Supported by the ministers and almost all the Likud deputies basically motivated to prevent Saar from smelling the party headquarters thinking about the future, Netanyahu will try to turn the victory into the electoral and moral platform to win at the polls on March 2.

57,110 of the 116,048 Likud militants who voted on Thursday ran into a dilemma wrapped in two ballots: continue to give confidence to their charismatic head of government despite the imputation or opt for Saar. The efficient squire of Netanyahu in the desert of the opposition (2006 and 20099 and in the first years in power suffers a more painful defeat than expected.

"Huge victory! Thanks to the Likud's companions for their trust, support and love. With your help, I will lead the Likud to a great victory in the elections and continue to lead Israel to unprecedented achievements," a euphoric Netanyahu reacted.

Faithful to the leader

After promising his support in March, Saar thanked his "support, faith, determination and courage." His decision to stand against the leader of the most powerful Likud since Menachem Beguin was branded "brave" by some and "unfair" by others. Unlike its historical Labor rival, today in crisis, and where the head of the list usually lasts a short time, the Likud presumes loyalty to its leader. Especially if he is the longest-running prime minister (13 years old) of Israel. But the weight of Saar and the political problems (without a majority) and judicial (accused of bribery, fraud and abuse of trust) of Netanyahu created the sensation of fighting for the first time since he obtained 12 points more than Silvan Shalom in the primary from 2005.

Born in Tel Aviv 53 years ago and the son of an Argentine doctor, Saar claimed that Netanyahu could not form a government on his third attempt in March. With a more institutional style than Netanyahu in the relationship with the press, left and Prosecutor, Saar is a right-wing ideologist who supports giving the Palestinians autonomy but not a state.

Likud voters also presume to be a family that does not leave their boss lying down. However, fracture situations were experienced in the primary schools, such as in Lods where the mayor, Yair Revivo, was the campaign manager in the prime minister's field while Deputy Mayor Netanel Isaac was from Saar. "In 10 days, Netanyahu has held rallies in 40 locations with incredible energies for someone 70 years old. The country needs him," Revivo said while his number 2 bet on the change: "The polls indicate that only with Gideon the right has most".

But the victory of Netanyahu is one more station on the Via Dolorosa in which he must also recruit the support of Saar's followers, expect the Supreme Court to rule that a defendant can receive the commission to form a Government, decide before this Thursday if he asks for parliamentary immunity to shield him temporarily, win the elections and achieve the majority of 61 of the 120 deputies so as not to need a unity government.

Netanyahu will repeat the successful formula of the primaries: numerous rallies from north to south of the territory with contacts with their constituents who have embraced their most repeated arguments: "We have made Israel more powerful than ever at an economic, military and technological level" and " I am innocent but the prosecution and the media persecute me and the right. "

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