New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigns ahead of election

Source: Washington Post

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who won global praise for her leadership style during the coronavirus pandemic, announced her resignation Thursday ahead of national elections later this year.

"I have given my absolute all to being Prime Minister but it has also taken a lot out of me," Ardern, 42, said in a statement. "You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along."

Lawmakers representing her ruling center-left Labour Party will vote Sunday on a new leader, who will lead the party to a national election Oct. 14.

The news came as such a surprise that Ardern had to dismiss suggestions she was trying to get ahead of a scandal by resigning, or was stepping down because her party has been trailing the main conservative opposition in recent voter polls.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/18/jacinda-ardern-resigns-new-zealand/