WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Education Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand’s next prime minister after he was the only candidate to enter the contest Saturday to replace Jacinda Ardern.
Hipkins (44) must receive an endorsement from Labour Party members Sunday, but this is a mere formality. The official transfer of power is expected to take place in the days ahead.
“It’s a big day for a boy from the Hutt,”Hipkins was referring to Wellington’s Hutt Valley, which is where Hipkins was born. “I’m really humbled and really proud to be taking this on. It is the biggest responsibility and the biggest privilege of my life.”
On Thursday, Ardern stunned 5 million citizens when she said she would be leaving after five-and-a half years of leading the organization.
The lack of other candidates indicated party lawmakers had rallied behind Hipkins to avoid a drawn-out contest and any sign of disunity following Ardern’s departure.
Hipkins will only be in this role for a little over eight months before he can run in a general election. Opposition polls show that Labour trailed its main rival, the conservative National Party.
Hipkins became a household name during the coronavirus outbreak. He assumed an advisory role in crisis management. Hipkins and others liberals are long under the shadow Ardern. He became an international icon of the left who exemplified new leadership styles and was widely admired.
The prime minister is now #NewZealand #ChrisHipkinsKeep in mind what he has said. You won’t be jabbed if we come looking for your! If you think so, #jacindaardern was crazy enough… look what #NewZealand has now… pic.twitter.com/FWPAKYhguQ
— Gillian McKeith (@GillianMcKeith) January 21, 2023
Just 37 when she became leader, Ardern was praised around the world for her handling of the nation´s worst-ever mass shooting and the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But she faced mounting political pressures at home and a level of vitriol from some that previous New Zealand leaders hadn’t faced. She was also subject to misogynistic and physical threats online.
“Our society could now usefully reflect on whether it wants to continue to tolerate the excessive polarization which is making politics an increasingly unattractive calling,”Helen Clark was the former Prime Minister.
Ardern, in tears, announced to reporters that she will be leaving her position by February 7, 2007.
“I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple,”She said.
Hipkins, in addition to holding the education portfolio is minister for the police and public service and also leader of House. Hipkins is well-known as a troubleshooter and has assumed a number of positions to resolve problems caused by others lawmakers.
But he’s also committed some gaffes of his own, like when he told people during a virus lockdown that they could go outside and “spread their legs,”A comment that brought out a lot of laughter on the Internet.
Hipkins caught the attention of small groups of people clapping outside Parliament. He said he’d come back energized after a summer break, considered himself a hard worker and a straight shooter, and didn’t intend to lose his trademark sense of humor in his new role.
He said he wouldn’t be announcing changes to policy or ministerial roles before Sunday´s vote, other than to say Grant Robertson would remain finance minister. Hipkins stated that he believes he can win and expressed gratitude to Ardern.
“Jacinda Ardern has been an incredible prime minister for New Zealand,” Hipkins said. “She was the leader that we needed at the time that we needed it.”
Hipkins, a lawmaker who has served 15 years in the legislature, is more centrist than Adern. His colleagues believe that Hipkins will be appealing to many voters.
His biggest challenge in an election season will be to convince voters that the party manages the country well.
New Zealand’s unemployment rate is relatively low at 3.3%, but inflation is high at 7.2%. New Zealand’s Reserve Bank has hiked the benchmark interest rate to 4.25% as it tries to get inflation under control, and some economists are predicting the country will go into recession this year.
Democrat Darling Jacinda Ardern Leaves Legacy of Cruelty, Tyranny in New Zealandhttps://t.co/937YugnrPf
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 19, 2023
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