x

Netanyahu wins landslide victory in Israeli ruling party’s leadership vote

The Israeli ruling party Likud announced on Friday that incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a landslide victory in the primary, ensuring his leadership of the right-wing party in the national elections in March.

The official results released by the Likud in the morning showed that Netanyahu won 72.5 per cent of the party members’ votes while his rival Gideon Saar, a lawmaker of Likud, gained 27.5 per cent of the votes.

Netanyahu claimed victory just before midnight Thursday, writing on Twitter: “Great victory!”

“With God’s and your help, I will lead the Likud to a great victory in the upcoming election and we will continue to lead Israel to unprecedented achievements,” he said.

In a broadcast statement, Saar congratulated Netanyahu for his victory and said that he would support Netanyahu and the Likud in the upcoming national elections.

“I am absolutely comfortable with my decision to run.

“Whoever isn’t ready to take a risk for the path he believes in will never win,” he tweeted.

Saar, a veteran politician and former education minister, was widely seen as posing the hardest challenge yet to Netanyahu’s decades-long chairmanship of the Likud.

The embattled Israeli leader is facing criminal indictments in three separate corruption scandals in which he is charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

However, Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and says the charges are part of “a witch-hunt.”

As the Israeli longest-serving prime minister, 70-year-old Netanyahu failed twice to form a coalition after the last two national elections.

The primary results mean he will stay in office at least until March 2 when Israel will hold a new round of national elections.

The unprecedented elections will be the third time Israelis would cast their ballots in fewer than a year, as a political deadlock has paralysed the Israeli political system over the past months. (Xinhua/NAN)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Gov Eno commissions FG funded 100-bed Specialist Hospital

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom yesterday...

Police launch investigationinto murder of A’Ibom man in church , arrest rapists

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo The Police in Alwa Ibom has launched...

Davido, Chioma Arrive in Miami Ahead of Lavish White Wedding

Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and...

El-Rufai Still a Key Stakeholder in APC – Party Chieftain Affirms

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)...

IWD: Time-Saving Tips Every Busy Mom Needs

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the strength, resilience,...

“My Husband Is Threatening My Life” – Actress Evan Okoro Cries Out

Award-winning Nollywood actress, Evan Okoro, has publicly cried out...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img