Prior to this year’s election, Jacinda Ardern announced her resignation as prime minister of New Zealand, claiming she no longer has “enough in the tank” to lead. The shocking news comes as polls suggest her Labour Party party will have a difficult time winning re-election on October 14.
As she explained how six “challenging” years in the position had taken a toll, Ms. Ardern choked up. Ms. Ardern, 42, claimed that during the summer break, she had given some thought to her future in order to find the passion and vigor to continue in the position. However, I haven’t, and continuing would be detrimental to New Zealand, she told reporters on Thursday.
By February 7, Ms. Ardern will retire. The vote will be cast by the lay membership of Labour if no candidate for the position receives the support of two-thirds of the party room. When Ms. Ardern, then 37, won the 2017 election for prime minister, she made history as the world’s youngest female head of state.
