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Chris Hipkins is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as the next Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Chris Hipkins’ name is expected to be confirmed at a meeting of 64 Labor MPs on Sunday.
Taking everyone by surprise, the current PM Jacinda Ardern has announced to step down.
Wellington. Chris Hipkins is all set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand’s next prime minister after emerging as the lone candidate to lead the Labor Party. The Labor Party said on Saturday that Chris Hipkins is expected to be confirmed as the new leader at a meeting of the Labor Party’s 64 MPs, or caucus, on Sunday. While surprising everyone on Thursday, in one of her announcements, the current PM Jacinda Ardern said that she will leave the post of PM of the country and will not contest elections again.
Chris Hipkins (44 years), first elected to Parliament for the Labor Party in 2008, was made Minister for COVID-19 in November 2020. After this, his name became famous in every household by implementing the government’s measures for the Corona epidemic. Hipkins is currently the Minister of Police, Education and Public Service as well as the Leader of the House. A poll by local media organization Stuff showed that Chris Hipkins was the most popular candidate for PM among voters, with the support of 26% of those involved. Labor MPs are expected to complete the formalities of confirming Hipkins’ election at a meeting on Sunday afternoon.
Ardern became the youngest PM of New Zealand, will resign, was in headlines after mosque attack, reason given
Current PM Jacinda Ardern will submit her resignation to the Governor General before the appointment of Chris Hipkins as PM. Chris Hipkins is scheduled to hold his first press conference on Saturday afternoon. After this, Hipkins will remain the Prime Minister till the end of the term of the party. General elections are going to be held in New Zealand on 14 October. Some election surveys have shown that the Labor Party will have to struggle to regain power. According to a survey based on the data before the announcement of PM Jessica Ardern, the popularity of the Labor Party has fallen to 31.7%. While the opposition New Zealand National Party got the support of 37.2% of the voters.
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Tags: new zealand, prime minister
FIRST PUBLISHED : January 21, 2023, 06:56 IST
