The wheeler-dealers are in and sons of the Likud founders (the princes) are out of the running for the next Knesset, with the conclusion of the party's primaries. Ministers without portfolio Benny Begin and Dan Meridor failed to win realistic places in the party's list of candidates for the Knesset elections. Minister of Home Front Defense Avi Dichter, and Minister of Improvement of Government Services Michael Eitan also failed to win realistic slots on the list. Candidates on the far right led by Moshe Feiglin won realistic places on the list.
The Likud's Knesset slate is now dominated by the young guard, headed by Minister of Education Gideon Saar, in the number two slot, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Saar is followed by Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan, Minister of Galilee and Negev Development Silvan Shalom, Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz, MK Danny Danon, Speaker of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin, Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon, coalition whip MK Zeev Elkin, Yariv Levin, and MK Tzipi Hototvely, the top ranking woman on the list.
In 11th to 20th places on the list are Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, MK Haim Katz, MK Miri Regev, Feiglin, Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz, Tzahi Hanegbi, Minister of Sports and Culture Limor Livnat, MK Ofir Akunis, MK Gila Gamliel and MK Carmel Shama.
Under the agreement with Yisrael Beitenu to present a joint list for the Knesset, a Yisrael Beitenu candidate will follow every two Likud candidates.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 27, 2012
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