New Zealand‘s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern surprised the country by revealing that she would be resigning as early as February. She announced on television that she would not seek reelection in 2023. In the upcoming election, Ardern expressed her confidence that New Zealand Labor will prevail. Ardern, who was fighting back tears, said that the past five and a half years as prime minister had been challenging and that she needed to step down because she was just human.
“This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year, but another term – because that is what this year requires. I have not been able to do that,” Ardern, 42, told a news conference. “I know there will be much discussion in the aftermath of this decision as to what the so called ‘real’ reason was… The only interesting angle you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges, that I am human,” she continued. “Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.”
Recent polls show that Ardern’s liberal Labour Party is already trailing its conservative rivals
She expressed excitement at being there when her daughter Neve started school this year by telling her. She also has plans to wed Clarke Gayford, her longtime partner, soon. Ardern was planning to run in the difficult 2023 election after holding the position of prime minister for five years. Recent polls show that Ardern’s liberal Labour Party is already trailing its conservative rivals despite gaining re-election two years ago with unprecedented margins.
Grant Robertson, the finance minister and deputy prime minister of New Zealand, said that he will not run to be the next leader of the Labour Party. After her remarks on the leader of an opposition party were picked up by parliament microphones during a debate in December 2022, Ardern found herself in hot water. Ardern sat down after responding passionately to the leader’s question and mumbled, “Such an arrogant jerk.”