Jacinda Ardern New Zealand PM Resigns
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern grimaces as she announces her resignation at a press conference in Napier, New Zealand Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Ardern says that she will not contest this year's general elections. (Warren Buckland/New Zealand Herald via AP)
Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand and an international leader in progressive politics, startled the nation on Thursday by announcing her impending resignation.
The 42-year-old said she no longer had “enough in the tank” after leading the nation through natural disasters, the Covid outbreak, and its worst-ever terror incident.
“I’m a person. For as long as we can, we give everything we have, but eventually it must end. And for me, it’s time,” she remarked during a gathering of Labour Party members.
Less than three years after securing her second term in government by winning a landslide election, Ardern announced she would leave her position no later than February 7.
Since that “Jacindamania” high point in 2020, Ardern’s government has struggled, with rising inflation, an impending recession, and a resurgent conservative opposition hurting its support.
The most fortunate and difficult position anyone could ever hold, according to Ardern, is that of being the leader of a nation.
You must have a full tank and some extra fuel for unforeseen difficulties in order to complete the task.
For her compassionate handling of the 2019 Christchurch mosque tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 51 Muslim worshipers and the injuries of an additional 40, Ardern received praise from all over the world.
Later that year, when the deadly White Island (also known as Whakaari) volcano erupted, she received plaudits for her decisive leadership.
She expressed pride in her government’s efforts to address child poverty, climate change, and housing affordability on Thursday.
And, according to Ardern, “we’ve done it while addressing some of the largest risks to the health and economic wellbeing of our country since World War II.”
There was a sense that Ardern was more well-liked abroad than she was at home due to her appearances on the covers of British Vogue and Time magazines.
She was a major influence on the domestic scene at her height, but over the past year, her government’s popularity has been progressively declining.
“It’s past due. Food costs have increased and the economy has been destroyed by her, according to Cambridge resident Esther Hedges of New Zealand’s north island.
The 65-year-old continued, “I’m not satisfied with her and I don’t know anyone who is.
Ardern was “the best prime minister we have had,” according to 38-year-old Christina Sayer.
“I like the kind of person she is and the concern she has for others. I regret having to let her leave.
Ardern displayed a rare lapse in composure last month when she was accidentally recorded calling an opposition politician a “arrogant prick,” demonstrating the stress of the job.
Sam Neill, a prominent Hollywood performer from New Zealand, claimed that Ardern was frequently the subject of online “bullies.”
In a message posted online, he added, “She deserved so much better.
A New Head
On October 14, Ardern stated that a general election would be conducted to select New Zealand’s next prime minister.
Until then, she declared, she will continue to serve as an electorate MP.
Her resignation creates a vacancy at the top of the Labour party, and Grant Robertson, her deputy, has already ruled out running for the position.
Ardern said that the reason for her resignation had nothing to do with the current polls, which predict that a center-right alliance will most likely win the election.
She stated, “I’m not leaving because I think we won’t win the next election; I think we can and will.
“I’m going because a job this prestigious comes with a lot of responsibilities. the obligation to recognize when you are a suitable leader and when you are not.
After Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990, Ardern was the second prime minister in history to give birth while in office.
She expressed excitement about finally getting married to her partner, TV personality Clarke Gayford, and spending more time with her daughter Neve, who will start school later this year.
Ardern received tributes from all around the world, led by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who praised her for “showing the world how to lead with knowledge and strength.”
According to Albanese, “She has shown that empathy and insight are powerful leadership traits.”
“Incredible international leader,” according to Tom Udall, the US ambassador to New Zealand, is Ardern.
