(Wellington) New Zealand’s Labor government, in difficulty since the surprise resignation of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern 10 months ago, conceded defeat on Saturday in the legislative elections against a center-right coalition.
The National Party and the ACT Party, forming a center-right coalition, are projected to win 65 seats, more than a majority of the 120 seats in the South Pacific country’s Parliament.
Chris Hipkins, who replaced Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, said he was “in no position to form a government” and congratulated opposition leader Chris Luxon.
The Labor Party, which had obtained a landslide victory in the last legislative elections in 2020, was heading for a severe defeat with a projection of 32 seats.
Christopher Luxon, 53, leader of the National Party and former CEO of the airline Air New Zealand, is widely tipped to succeed him.
PHOTO DAVID ROWLAND, REUTERS
National Party Leader Christopher Luxon
“Based on the numbers we have now, it looks like the National Party and ACT will be able to form the next government,” said the former businessman who says he only sleeps five hours a night and doesn’t expect only entered politics in 2019, but was immediately seen as a future leader.
New Zealanders “searched for hope and voted for change”, he said. “I promise you that the National Party will deliver for every New Zealander,” he added, promising to “rebuild the economy and cut taxes.”
On Saturday in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, many voters expected a change of direction, but not all were enthusiastic about the prospect.
“The situation is so bleak that people are tempted to vote for change, just for the sake of change,” civil servant Olivia Eaton told AFP.
Wellington resident Jacqui Barber, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, said she was “filled with worry about the outcome of this election”.
Cost of life
“Neither major party is prepared to adequately tackle the most important issue: the need for decisive climate policy,” she observed.
For Terry McKee, a butcher from the small town of Waikanae, about an hour’s drive north of Wellington, the skyrocketing cost of living is the most important electoral issue.
“Things are difficult for everyone, interest rates, fuel prices, all prices are going up, but I don’t know what another government is going to do,” the 56-year-old told the AFP.
The Labor Party had suffered a severe decline in the polls due to a succession of scandals within the government and rising food and fuel prices, with inflation expected to exceed 6% this year.
Mr. Luxon promised a tax cut of around 280 euros per month for a middle-class family, saying he wanted to finance it through a tax on luxury homes owned by foreigners.
The former business executive hopes to be able to come to power with the deputies of his National Party or by allying himself with the conservative ACT party.
He may also have to seek support from New Zealand First, a small populist party led by 78-year-old Winston Peters.
The Labor Party has remained in power for six years, first led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
His center-left government was praised in particular for having quickly closed the borders in early 2020, protecting the country from the COVID-19 pandemic.
She was also congratulated for her management of the disasters of 2019: a volcanic eruption which killed 22 people, and the attack on the Christchurch mosque where 51 people were killed.
But Jacinda Ardern resigned in January to spend more time with her partner and daughter.
His successor’s short tenure was marked by other natural disasters—devastating floods and cyclone Gabrielle — as well as internal problems which forced it to undergo four reshuffles in a few months.