Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to move up the Likud primaries to January 31. Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom, who has declared that he would run for party chairmanship, said he would take legal action against the initiative. Netanyahu, who has updated the Likud ministers on his decision, estimates that general elections for the Knesset and the premiership will be held in two years' time, and by moving up the Likud vote he will try to solidify his strong position within the party and win re-election as the party's leader in case general elections are also moved up. Public opinion polls show that the PM's political situation is good and that Likud will likely form the next government. Netanyahu wants to take advantage of this momentum -- which is also the result of the Gilad Shalit deal. The premier also believes that Israel needs political stability ahead of a possible decision on how to respond to Iran's nuclear program.
