New Zealand: The New Zealand Prime Minister Ms. Jacinda Ardern has announced that she has “no more in the tank” to continue leading the country and will step down as Prime Minister no later than early February 2023.
Ms. Ardern shared that it had been a tough five and a half years as prime minister, as well as that she was only human and needed to step aside.
“This summer, I had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year but another term, because that is what this year requires. I have not been able to do that,” the Prime Minister observed.
I had hoped that I would find what I needed to carry on over that period but, unfortunately, I haven’t, and I would be doing a disservice to New Zealand to continue. Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.
Ms. Ardern shared.
“It’s one thing to lead your country through peace time, it’s another to lead them through crisis. These events have been taxing because of the weight, the sheer weight and continual nature of them. There has never really been a moment where it’s ever felt like we were just governing,” the PM further added.
Australian Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ms. Ardern as a leader of intellect, strength, and empathy.
“Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength. She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities,” the Australian PM remarked.
Ms. Ardern became the youngest female head of government in the world when she was elected prime minister in 2017, aged 37. And a year later, she became the second elected world leader to ever give birth while in office.
The Labour Party leader steered New Zealand through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its ensuing recession, the Christchurch mosque shootings, and the White Island volcanic eruption.