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Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand’s PM | Politics News

Now minister of police, education and public service, Hipkins, 44, has been described as ‘reasonable’ and ‘tough’.

New Zealand Police and Education Minister Chris Hipkins will replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister after emerging as the only candidate nominated to lead the ruling Labor Party.

The senior politician must now be formally backed by Labor members of parliament on Sunday to assume the position of the country’s 41st prime minister, following Ardern’s shock resignation.

“The Labor Party caucus will meet at 1pm [00:00 GMT] on Sunday to confirm the nomination and confirm Chris Hipkins as Party Leader,” senior party member Duncan Webb said in a statement on Saturday.

First elected to parliament for the Labor Party in 2008, Hipkins, 44, has become a household name in light of the government’s response to the pandemic after being appointed minister in charge of COVID- 19 in November 2020.

Hipkins, now minister for police, education and public affairs and leader of the House of Commons, will lead his party’s uphill battle in the October 14 general election. opinion polls and criticized by opponents for soaring prices, poverty and crime rates.

Ready to become New Zealand's new Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins speaks to the media outside Parliament in Wellington on January 21, 2023 [Marty Melville/AFP]
Chris Hipkins has become a household name in the face of the government’s response to the pandemic after being appointed minister in charge of COVID-19 in November 2020. [Marty Melville/AFP]

Ardern, a global puppet for progressive politicsstunned New Zealand and the world when it announced its sudden resignation on Thursday, less than three years after securing a second term with a landslide election victory.

Ardern, 42, has steered the country through natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and the worst terrorist attack ever, but said she no longer has the “courage” to continue. in place.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Ardern had “faced a level of hatred and cynicism” “unprecedented in our country”.

Her successor is considered by many to be a safe with more than 14 years in parliament. Political commentator Josie Pagani has described Hipkins as “reasonable, likable, tough and capable”.

There was no immediate reaction from the country’s main opposition National Party to Hipkins’ nomination.

The right-wing ACT has urged him to “feed New Zealand with substance rather than snow”, criticizing his party’s record of welfare recipients, rising food prices and a tight labor market. chop.

The Greens said they look forward to working with him to “end poverty, take bold climate action and protect our native wildlife”.

Hipkins’ appointment quelled speculation that Justice Minister Kiri Allan, one of Labor’s senior Maori MPs, may have become the country’s first Maori prime minister.

A quick Horizon Research poll obtained by local media organization Stuff on Friday found Hipkins as the most popular voter-like potential candidate, with the support of 26% of those surveyed.

A poll by the Taxpayers-Curia Union released on Friday and based on data from before Ardern announced his resignation showed Labour’s popularity dropping to 31.7%, with 37.2 % of respondents support the National Party.



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