Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues in the country’s parliament.
In New Zealand Chris Hipkins is now officially the country’s 41st prime minister. Hipkins took over the task From Jacinda Ardernwho unexpectedly announced last week that he was leaving the position.
Hipkins, 44, was sworn in at a ceremony in the capital, Wellington, where he said being prime minister was the greatest privilege and responsibility of his life. In addition, he said that he was energetic and enthusiastic.
At the same time, also the country’s new deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni took the oath of office. Sepuloni is the country’s first deputy prime minister with a background in the Pacific Islands region.
Ardern justified her resignation by saying that she does not have enough “fuel in the tank” or energy to do the job. Ardern will continue in parliament, but she has said that she intends to stay out of the busiest day-to-day politics.
During Ardern’s term, New Zealand was hit by natural disasters, the most destructive terrorist attack in the country’s history and the coronavirus pandemic. The popularity of his center-left government has suffered over the past two years due to rising inflation, the threat of recession and the strengthening of the conservative opposition.
Hipkins was previously responsible for the country’s corona measures. Now his burden is to make the government’s popularity rise under the looming elections in October. He has previously said that his government will focus on the economic crisis that followed the coronavirus pandemic.
Hipkins himself has described the financial crisis as an “inflationary pandemic” and has promised that his approach to the economy is a return to basics.
Hipkins has also condemned the bullying of Ardern on social media. However, Ardern stressed earlier this week that she is leaving the role grateful to have been in such a great position for several years.
Sources: AFP, AP