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Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand's prime minister

The leader of the Labour Party called for elections to be held on Oct. 14.

(Wiki Commons)

Published by
Juan Martín Fernández Quintero

Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand, announced that she is resigning from her post and called for elections in October. She claimed that she did not have the energy "for another four years," so she prefers to step down from power.

During a meeting with Labour Party members, the prime minister said that "such a privileged role" comes with great responsibility, and one must know how to step aside when the time comes. "It’s time," she assured.

I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple. 

The road to follow until the elections

This week, the Labour Party will vote for a new leader. This candidate will assume the role of prime minister on Feb. 7 and will govern until elections are held. "I’m not leaving because I believe we can’t win the election, but because I believe we can and will, and we need a fresh set of shoulders for that challenge," Ardern said.

The vote to elect a new Executive will take place on Oct. 14. Until that time, Ardern will continue as a member of the New Zealand Parliament.

The politician, native of the city of Hamilton, took office in August 2017 at just 37 years old, becoming the youngest prime minister in the country's history. After a decade of conservative leadership, she came to power in an alliance with the Green Party and the nationalists.

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