Minister of Welfare and Social Services Moshe Cachlon (Likud) announced Sunday that he is taking "time out" from political life and will not compete for a spot in Likud's list for the next Knesset.

The announcement came as a great surprise, because Cachlon is considered to be one of the most popular figures in Likud.

"I have decided to take time out and not contend in the Likud list for the next Knesset," Cachlon wrote in a short statement.

"I support Likud under Netanyahu's leadership," he added, "and I have agreed with the prime minister that I will be part of the 100 Days' Team, on the economic and social subjects and the advancement of reforms in the next Knesset, under the leadership of Likud and Netanyahu."

Cachlon's decision is believed to be the result of his "complicated" relations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.