Lapid confidant calls for Yesh Atid leadership primaries, says he’ll run

Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah, considered a close confidant of party leader Yair Lapid, has called for party primaries and said he will run for leadership.

“In recent days I told Yair Lapid of the urgent need to renew the face of the party,” Shelad tweeted earlier. “It must start with immediate primaries… I will run and will be happy for others to do so as well. Without this we will not be an alternative and we will not win.”

Yesh Atid was formed by Lapid in 2012 as a vehicle for his political aspirations. Shelah joined soon afterwards. The party has had no democratic process since its formation, with Lapid deciding on its roster for the Knesset. According to party statutes Lapid is to serve as its leader until the end of term of the 25th Knesset (with the current sitting of parliament being its 23rd).

Yesh Atid says in an official statement: “We are reviewing the matter with the party institutions.”