Israel's Democrats Party Holds Primaries Ahead of Knesset Election

The Democrats Party began its internal primaries on Monday, with more than 112,000 registered members eligible to cast votes virtually for candidates. These primaries will determine the party’s Knesset slate ahead of the upcoming elections, set for October 27.

The left-wing Democrats are a core party in the opposition bloc aiming to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The party was established in 2024 through the merger of the Labor and Meretz parties, with Yair Golan selected to lead it.

Each registered party member can vote for six to eight candidates out of 51 contenders. The party stated that its list would incorporate gender parity, alternating between women and men, and guarantee representation for Meretz representatives, the rural sector, and minority communities.

For the first time, the primaries are being conducted virtually, allowing members to vote via mobile phones and computers through a secure digital system. The party noted that over 114,000 people have joined the Democrats, calling it an “unprecedented democratic surge.”