New Zealand: Mr. Christopher Luxon was sworn in as New Zealand’s Prime Minister. During the ceremony, the new PM stated that his top priority was to improve the economy.
Mr. Luxon leads a conservative coalition after his National Party reached an agreement with two smaller parties following a general election last month.
Although Mr. Luxon was certain to become Prime Minister because of his party’s impressive results, it took six weeks of intense negotiations to reach a deal on a shared policy platform with coalition partners who ran on opposing platforms on issues like taxation, racial relations, and economic management.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, which was presided over by Governor-General, Mr. Cindy Kiro, Mr. Luxon stated the job was an “awesome responsibility”.
Mr. Luxon said that he would hold his first Cabinet meeting on November 28 and look to quickly finalise a 100-day plan. The Prime Minister further noted that he needed to get a Treasury briefing on the state of the government’s finances.
Within its first 100 days in power, Mr. Luxon’s National Party has pledged to crack down on crime, ban cellphone use in classrooms, and remove proposed increases to fuel taxes.
In addition, Mr. Luxon has promised less government bureaucracy, which includes reducing the public service by 6.5 percent.
The new government also plans to repeal tobacco restrictions approved last year by the previous government, including requirements for low nicotine levels in cigarettes, fewer retailers, and a lifetime ban for youth.
“We will continue to make sure we have good education programs and encourage people to take up vapes as a cessation tool,” Mr. Luxon added.
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