Berlin
After the surprising resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the Labor Party has found a successor
Former New Zealand Minister of Police and Education Chris Hipkins becomes the new leader of the Labor Party in New Zealand. The 44-year-old Social Democrat was unanimously elected by his party at a gathering in Wellington on Sunday. This makes it clear: Hipkins will be the new prime minister in New Zealand. Both offices are linked.
Hipkins replaces Jacinda Ardern in both offices, who surprisingly announced her resignation on Thursday. Hipkins is now due on Wednesday as head of government to be sworn.
Hipkins was responsible for strict Covid policy
Hipkins was previously Minister for the fight against the corona pandemic and most recently Head of Department for Education and Police. He announced that dealing with the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic will be the focus of his government policy to want to ask. He also wanted to take action against the increasing crime rate.
At a press conference on Saturday, Hipkins described the nomination as a great privilege. “It’s also a huge responsibility,” he said. He is a “hard worker” who is committed to New Zealand leave it in better condition than you found it.
In October, the parliament will be re-elected in the South Pacific country. Hipkins’ future as Prime Minister depends on the outcome of the election. In polls it was labor party recently in view of the increased cost of living and poverty as well as the high crime rates.
Jacinda Ardern’s resignation made headlines around the world
During her five-year tenure, Ardern gained a lot of recognition far beyond national borders, among other things, through her sensitive reaction to the mosque attack in Christchurch in March 2019 that killed 51 people. She was also considered a professional advocate for women’s rights because she was head of government gave birth to a child and took their little daughter to the UN in New York.
In her own country, however, the 42-year-old lost more and more over time popularity a. She justified her resignation by saying that she was exhausted from her official duties and “didn’t have enough in the tank” for the demanding job.
On Sunday, Hipkins criticized the sometimes harsh criticism that his predecessor had been exposed to. The way in which a “small minority” in the country with veins jumped was “absolutely disgusting”. (lro/AFP/dpa)
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