CNN
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prime minister of new zealand Jacinda Ardern On Thursday, she announced she would be running for a new leader in the coming weeks and said in October’s polls that she doesn’t believe she has the energy to seek re-election.
At a press conference, Ardern said his term would end by February 7, when the new Labor prime minister is expected to take office, but “it could be sooner, depending on the process.”
“The decision was my own,” Ardern said. “Leading a country is the most privileged job anyone can have, but it is also the most rewarding job. As long as you can’t and shouldn’t work.”
“There isn’t enough in the tank to justify the work,” she added.
‘Unbelievable’ New Zealanders react to Jacinda Ardern’s resignation
When Ardern Appointed Prime Minister in 2017 At 37, she was New Zealand’s third female leader and one of the youngest in the world. Less than a year later, she gave birth during her tenure. This was her second world leader ever.
She was re-elected for a second term as president in 2020. The victory saw New Zealand impose some of the toughest border rules in the world, separating families and shutting down her government’s ‘work hard, work early’ approach to the Covid-19 pandemic. supported by For almost two years she kicked out almost all foreigners.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ardern spoke candidly about the toll her work has taken and reflected on the various crises her government faced, including both the pandemic and the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attacks, which left 51 people dead at two mosques. bottom.
The attack was a defining moment in Ardern’s leadership, and her swift response was widely praised. He publicly stated that he would never name the alleged attacker.
“The only interesting angle you find is that after six years of some big challenges, I’m human. Politicians are human,” she said. “We did everything we could and the time has come. And for me, the time is now.”
Ardern also highlighted achievements she had made during her tenure, including legislation on climate change and child poverty. “I don’t want these five and a half years to be just a challenge. For me it was also about progress,” she said.
Bryce Edwards, a political scientist at New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington, said Ardern’s resignation was “shocking” but not a complete surprise.
“She’s admired around the world, but her government is plummeting in the polls.
New Zealand’s next general election will be held on October 14th.
See the moment Jacinda Ardern hit back at a reporter’s question about gender
Ardern, a former DJ and deceased Mormon, was New Zealand’s closest person to a rock star politician, attracting mass rallies and wall-to-wall coverage. She was particularly popular among young people during her first election in a wave called “Jacindamania”.
Her popularity has spread internationally, with Ardern gracing the covers of Vogue and Time magazines and welcoming American TV personality Stephen Colbert to her home in the Oakland suburbs.
But while Ms Ardern’s fresh and sympathetic approach to the role earned her a worldwide following, her popularity has waned in New Zealand in recent years, with some critics skeptical that she was the first to be elected. He claims that he has done little to deliver the transformative government he promised when he was appointed.
Several polls in late 2022 showed support for Ardern and her Labor Party declining. Lowest level since taking office in 2017according to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand.
Political analyst Edwards said Ardern’s decision to step down would likely spare her a disappointing election result.
“It’s best for her reputation to leave now. She will have a better relationship than lose the election,” he said.
Edwards said there was no “obvious person” to replace her, but potential candidates included Police and Education Minister Chris Hipkins, who has strong ties to Ardern, and Justice Minister Kiri Alan. included.
Ardern said she has no firm plans for what she will do next, but looks forward to spending more time with her family again. Those who paid,” Ardern said.
Addressing her children and fiancée, she said, “For Neve, I’m looking forward to having Mom there when school starts this year. For Clark, let’s finally get married.”
Ardern has been engaged to TV host Clark Gayford since 2019.
Profile of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Ardern gained a reputation as a trailblazer during her tenure, frequently speaking about gender equality and women’s rights.
For example, when she announced her pregnancy in 2018, she emphasized a woman’s ability to juggle work and motherhood.
“I am not the first woman to multitask, nor am I the first woman to work and have children. There are many women who have done well,” Gayford said at the time, taking on the role of a stay-at-home mom.
After giving birth, she and Gayford took the three-month-old baby to the United Nations General Assembly, where Ardern told CNN she wanted to help “make way for other women” and make the workplace more open. rice field.
In a 2021 interview with CNN, she reflected on her rise to power, saying:
Her impending resignation announcement on Thursday sparked a wave of support on social media, including by other political leaders, with many pointing to the legacy she left for women in politics.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Ardern on Twitter, saying she had “shown how to lead the world with intelligence and power” and was “a great friend to me”.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong also tweeted, saying Ardern was “a source of inspiration for me and many others.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a photo of him and Ardern walking together on Twitter, thanking her for her friendship and “empathetic, compassionate, strong and steady leadership over the past few years.” .
“The difference you have made is immeasurable,” he added.
