New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s resignation was officially replaced on Wednesday, and her successor, Chris Hipkins, 44, was sworn in at a ceremony in Wellington.
Jacinda Ardern, 42, said last week she did not have “sufficient energy” to continue performing her duties, after five years marked by a deadly volcanic eruption, the worst attack in the country’s history in 2019 in Christchurch and the pandemic. from Covid-19. .
“It’s the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility of my life,” said Chris Hipkins, 44, saying he was “motivated” and “excited” about the “challenges ahead.”
“I leave with a feeling of gratitude”
Chris Hipkins has won acclaim for his nearly two-year tenure as the minister in charge of the fight against Covid-19, in a country that closed its borders to protect itself from the pandemic and only reopened them in August 2022.
Jacinda Ardern shocked New Zealand when she announced her abrupt removal from power, less than three years after winning a second term in a landslide electoral victory.
“I leave with a feeling of gratitude after playing this wonderful role for so many years,” she told reporters in Ratana (north) on Tuesday during her last public visit as prime minister.
The popularity of his Labor government has soured in recent months due to the looming recession and a resurgence of the Conservative opposition.
Source: BFM TV
