In New Zealand, there are indications that the Minister of Police, Education and Public Services, Chris Hipkins, will succeed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The Labor Party announced yesterday (local time) that he was the only candidate for the position of head of state and party leadership. He is expected to be confirmed as the new leader of the party by the 64 Labor MPs soon. Hipkins, 44, has made a name for himself in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. He has been a deputy since 2008.
surprising resignation
Ardern surprisingly resigned on Thursday. The 42-year-old woman explained that she no longer had the strength for more years in office and would therefore resign on February 7. The new leader of the Labor Party, presumably Hipkins, is due to take over government affairs until the October 14 general election.
Ardern’s successor faces a slumping economy battling high inflation. The country’s central bank expects the country to be in recession for the elections.