'Democracy in Disguise': Internal Revolt Rocks Yair Golan’s Party Over 'Sham' Primaries

A political fight is growing inside Yair Golan’s Democrats party ahead of its primaries, after activists discovered that only a small number of realistic spots on the Knesset list are expected to be open to regular competition.

According to a report by Anna Barsky in Maariv, activists in the party and senior figures from the protest movement are angry over the structure of the list. Out of the first 14 spots, considered realistic according to current polls, only two are reportedly open and not reserved in advance.

The rest of the top slots are divided through a series of reserved places: one for the party chairman, two additional personal reserved spots for Golan, two places for kibbutzim and minorities, and three spots reserved for Meretz members as part of the merger agreement.

The arrangement has angered activists who expected the new party to offer a more open political path, particularly for figures who helped lead the anti-government protest movement.

One of the names now reconsidering his future in the party is Moshe Radman, one of the prominent leaders of the Kaplan protest movement. According to the report, Radman is weighing whether to continue his political path with the Democrats under the current conditions.

A source familiar with the internal dispute sharply criticized Golan, saying the protest movement had powered the party’s field activity but may now be left without meaningful representation.

“The protest was the force that moved the field, and in the end it will be left without representation,” the source told Maariv. “Golan deceived them and sold them illusions. In practice, the primaries are a sham election, democracy in disguise.”

The source added that activists would join the party and vote, but in reality would be competing for only two realistic slots at best.

Pressure is now being placed on Golan to give up his two personal reserved spots. Party officials, however, say he does not intend to reopen the sensitive reserved-seat agreement reached with Meretz.

The Democrats said in response that the issue of reserved slots is not currently on the agenda and will be decided once the election date and primary date become clear.