New Zealand: Chris Hepkins named next Prime Minister

“I like to think of myself as someone who is determined and can get things done.” Chris Hipkins, New Zealand’s former head of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, said on Saturday he was ready to succeed outgoing Jacinda Ardern as prime minister. He was appointed by Labor MPs on Friday to replace the latter.

The sole candidate to succeed Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, 44, must be formally appointed Sunday by the ruling party leadership before he becomes his country’s 41st prime minister. “The Labor caucus will meet at 1pm on Sunday to ratify the nomination and confirm Chris Hipkins as party leader,” said Duncan Webb, a Labor executive.

Unfavorable opinion polls

The mission promises to be fraught with danger for Chris Hepkins. The new prime minister will be responsible for leading his party into the general elections in October, for which he is not the candidate, according to opinion polls. But to reporters who questioned him on Saturday outside parliament in the capital, Wellington, he said he could win the October 14 ballot.

Jacinda Ardern, one of the world’s leading figures in progressive politics, has preferred to throw in the towel, as her popularity has waned dramatically in recent quarters. “J,” she said when announcing her sudden resignation.

‘Tough and efficient’ politician

Chris Hipkins is widely regarded as an experienced politician, with over 14 years in Parliament. Political columnist Josie Pagani described him as “sensitive, sympathetic, tough and competent”. For his part, Christopher Luxon, the leader of the main opposition party in the country, the (center-right) National Party, congratulated Chris Hepkins, saying that “just changing the head of the Labor Party (wasn’t) enough for my people.” New Zealand. “The truth is that he was a key piece of a government that failed to do anything,” he said.

The appointment of Chris Hipkins also ended speculation that Justice Minister Kerry Allan could have become the first Maori to govern New Zealand. The latter congratulated Chris Hipkins, saying he would make an “incredibly strong Prime Minister”.

The “outdoor enthusiast,” who enjoys mountain biking, hiking and swimming, has been hailed for nearly two years as the minister responsible for combating Covid-19 in a country that closed its borders to stave off the pandemic. And reopened only in 2022. He admitted last year that people were tired of the tough restrictions against the pandemic, calling the border closures “difficult”.