Jerusalem, Nov 22 (IANS): The Israeli Labour Party, the main opposition party in Parliament, chose to replace its chief in a move which might have major ramifications in Israeli politics.

Tens of thousands of party members elected M.K. Isaac Herzog as party chairman Thursday, ousting Shelly Yachimovich, who was the party's leader for the past two years, reports Xinhua.

Herzog, the son of the late Israeli president Haim Herzog, won the support of more than 60 percent of the votes, according to the statement.

Herzog and Yachimovich talked to each other Friday morning and vowed to keep working together within the party's ranks to improve its image.

The party, which has been the legendary ruling party for the country's first 40 years, became the third largest party in the January elections with only 15 out of 120 seats in Parliament.

Ousted Shelly Yachimovich received criticism for her sole focus on socio-economic issues and not voicing the Left's agenda regarding the Palestinians.

She was also slammed by other circles for refusing to enter Netanyahu's coalition.

The election of Herzog, a veteran politician and lawyer who served since 2003 in several government ministerial positions (housing and construction minister, tourism minister and welfare minister among others) may have major ramifications in Israeli politics.

Herzog is more acceptable to the idea of possibly joining a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and had been a part of right wing-led governments in the past.