New Zealand: Chris Hepkins named next Prime Minister
L’Former New Zealand Covid-19 official Chris Hepkins, 44, has been nominated by Labor MPs to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, the party said in a statement on Friday.
Chris Hipkins still has to be formally appointed on Sunday by his party’s leadership before he can become his country’s 41st prime minister, following the shock resignation of Jacinda Ardern Thursday.
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.
“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.
As leader of the ruling party, Mr Hipkins will also become Prime Minister when Ms Ardern leaves office.
Jacinda Ardern, a pioneer of global progressive politics, stunned New Zealand when she announced her sudden removal from power, less than three years after winning a second term in a landslide election victory.
During her tenure, she faced the Covid-19 pandemic, a deadly volcanic eruption and the country’s worst ever attack, the killing of 51 Muslim worshipers at two Christchurch mosques by a white supremacist in 2019.
“tough and efficient”
Ms Ardern said her decision to step down was “tinged with sadness” but after her announcement she “slept well for the first time in a long time”.
Political commentators joined in condemning inappropriate comments on social media targeting Ms Ardern ahead of her resignation.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Ms Ardern “faced a level of hatred and vitriol” that was “unprecedented in our country”.
His successor is widely seen as a seasoned politician, with more than 14 years in Parliament.
Political columnist Josie Pagani described him as “sensitive, sympathetic, tough and competent”.
The country’s main opposition party, the National Party, did not immediately respond to Chris Hipkins’ victory.
Mr Hipkins’ appointment also ended speculation that Justice Minister Kerry Allan could have become the first Māori to lead New Zealand.
“incredibly strong”
The latter congratulated Mr Hepkins, saying he would make an “incredibly strong Prime Minister”.
Chris Hepkins 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 them in August 2022.
He admitted last year that people were tired of the tough restrictions against the pandemic, calling the border closures “difficult”.
On a lighter note, Mr Hipkins famously made a gaffe in 2021 when he noted that virus restrictions prevented New Zealanders from “going out and spreading their legs”, rather than stretching them.
He describes himself as an “outdoor enthusiast” who enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and swimming.
01/21/2023 03:02:33 – Auckland (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
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