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In a wide-ranging interview with Yediot Ahronot, Shas leader Aryeh Deri called the current government an “outright failure” and indicated that he would lend his support to Labour head Isaac Herzog rather than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in forming a future government.

Ultra-Orthodox party Shas, which also commands a following from Israeli Jews of Middle Eastern origin, has played a major role in Israeli politics during the last 20 years. Shas has often been the power-broker in coalition building and currently finds its 11 MKs sitting in opposition for the first time in many years.

Speaking to Yediot Ahronot, Deri said that he would not consider joining the current government, despite some media suggestions to the contrary. He said that the government had failed and in particular criticised the 2015 budget, saying it “does harm to the weaker sectors.” He also said that the government is “united by a single purpose – to harm the ultra-Orthodox public as much as possible.” Deri pledged, “As soon as the Knesset’s winter session begins, I will do everything to topple this government and go to elections. There won’t be talks about joining the government.”

Deri rubbished the suggestion that Likud and Netanyahu are Shas’s “natural partners,” saying that they, “threw us out of town, expelled us, told us we aren’t wanted” in the wake of the 2013 election. Instead, he indicated that Shas would support Labour Party and opposition leader Isaac Herzog’s efforts to become prime minister. He said, “Buji [Herzog’s nickname] is an honest guy, a team man, very talented and diligent … I see no reason why he can’t replace Netanyahu and become prime minister.”

Invariably, no single party is able to form a government by itself. As a result, the party leaders recommend to the president who they would like to attempt to build a coalition. Deri indicated that he would support Herzog, saying that first, “He [Herzog] needs to win seats and consolidate a bloc around him.”