“It’s time for me,” Ardern said. “I just don’t have enough in the tank for another four years.” The head of government was obviously referring to the upcoming parliamentary elections in October this year and the subsequent legislative period.
His resignation will take effect upon the appointment of a successor. A new leader of the Labor Party will be elected on Sunday.
Ardern was elected Prime Minister in 2017. She was confirmed in this role in the October 2020 parliamentary elections and won a historic election victory. In all his years in office, his charismatic policy stood out, especially with his sensitive crisis management.
This applies, among other things, to New Zealand’s path during the corona pandemic. Ardern also received much recognition for his reaction to the March 2019 terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch that killed 51 people. On the occasion, she gave a moving speech and wore a headscarf to show her solidarity with the Muslim community around the world. More recently, however, the popularity ratings of the head of government and her party have dropped in polls.