As the Knesset opened its winter term Monday, Speaker MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) made clear that he does not think this is the right time to call new elections.

“I think that in the end, common sense will prevail and everyone will understand that this is not the time to head for elections,” he told IDF Radio.

“There are many things to take care of following Operation Protective Edge,” he said, “and there are no fewer things in the in the social sphere. These things are known to all of us, and we shall return to them. I am not certain that what we need now is to start an election campaign that will last several months.”

The Knesset’s opening session will see debates concerning the proposed 0% VAT for first-time home purchasers, the law enabling the Knesset to override a High Court anullment of a law it passed, the Conversion Law and construction in Judea and Samaria.

MK Danny Danon (Likud) announced Sunday that primary elections for the position of Likud chairman and its candidate for prime minister will be held January 28, 2015.

MK Danon said that he “understands” Netanyahu’s request to hold the primaries at an earlier date, but that setting the date too soon would “project urgency” in a way that is unjustified.

“The various candidates should be allowed the time they need to prepare properly for the primaries, so that democracy is not just carried out but also visible,” Danon added. 

Danon also announced that a vote on a change of the party’s constitution – including rules pertaining to the election of the party’s Knesset list – will take place on December 24, 2014. The changes, proposed by party leader Netanyahu, would allow the party leader to install his preferred candidates in every tenth spot. 

The early primaries and the proposed change in constitution are being seen as an effort by Netanyahu to strengthen his position ahead of possible early general elections.