New Zealand PM Ardern sets October polls after shock resignation
Lauded globally but faced with mounting criticism at home, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday she was leaving office after nearly six years in charge.
Ardern's empathetic handling of the nation's worst mass-shooting and health-driven response to the coronavirus pandemic led her to become an international icon but her standing in local politics has been under increasing scrutiny.
Fighting back tears, she told reporters in Napier that Feb. 7 will be her last day as prime minister.
"I am entering now my sixth year in office, and for each of those years, I have given my absolute all," she said.
She also announced that New Zealand’s general elections would be held on Oct. 14 and that she would remain a lawmaker until then.
Her announcement, however, came as a shock to people throughout the nation of 5 million people. Although there had been some chatter in political circles that Ardern might resign before the next election, she’d always firmly said she planned to run again.
It’s unclear who will take over as prime minister until the election. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson announced he wouldn’t be contesting for the leadership of the Labour Party, throwing the competition open.
Ardern became an inspiration to women around the world after winning the top job in 2017 at the relatively young age of 37.
The following year, she became just the second world leader to give birth while holding office. When she brought her infant daughter to the floor of the U.N. General Assembly in New York in 2018, it brought smiles to people everywhere. Read More…
