New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has announced that she will resign next month ahead of the upcoming election as she no longer has “enough in the tank” to remain the leader.
“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.” Ardern stated. “I am human. We give as much as we can for as long as we can and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time,” she added.
“And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.” she told a media outlet. “I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election.” she said during a press conference.
VIDEO: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces she will resign next month.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 19, 2023
“For me it’s time,” she told members of her Labour Party. “I just don’t have enough in the tank for another four years.” pic.twitter.com/v9L3X4wQKn
Jacinda Ardern became the Prime Minister of New Zealand in a coalition government in 2017 and then led centre-left Labour Party to victory in an election three years later.
The New Zealand PM has won international acclaim for her handling of terror attack on two Muslim mosques and the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also became the second world leader to give birth while in office.
However, the leader’s popularity has dropped in recent domestic polls amid escalating inflation and deteriorating economic situation.
New Zealand’s next general election will be held on Saturday, October 14, Ardern revealed in her announcement. Ardern said that she would continue to serve an an electorate MP until the election.
Ardern said that she will resign no later than February 7, and that the Labour caucus would vote on a new leader in three days.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said he would not be putting his name forward.
