Conservatives win in New Zealand – DW – 10/14/2023

New Zealand’s Conservative National Party won an election in the Maritime nation this Saturday (10/14/2023), which will allow the Wellington executive to resume rule after 6 years.

With the survey almost complete, Christopher Lacson’s National Party leads with 39.1% of the vote, while the outgoing New Zealand Prime Minister’s centre-left Labor Party, Chris HipkinsIt gets 26.8% votes according to Election Commission.

“I Vote for Change”

This is a radical change for the 2020 election, in which the former New Zealand prime minister won the leadership of the Labor Party. Jacinda Ardern stepped down last January.

Lacson thanked the maritime nation for a “vote for change” that would bring his conservative party to power after six years in opposition.

According to New Zealand public broadcaster TVNZ, “Tonight’s figures show that National (Party) can lead the next government,” Lacson chanted “back on track” before a rally of supporters in Auckland.

“To all of you who voted for National, we’re not going to let you down, we’re not going to let down all of you who didn’t vote for us,” promised Lacson, who entered parliament three years ago. New Zealand airline Air New Zealand between 2012 and 2019.

Hipkins conceded defeat

For his part, Hipkins acknowledged the election defeat and said he called Lacson to congratulate him. “Unfortunately, the results show that they are not enough,” Hipkins said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much,” he told his fellow believers in a speech reported by Radio New Zealand.

The results ended a six-year Labor government that saw its charismatic leader, Jacinda Orton, beat forecasts that gave the National party 34% support – she won a landslide victory in 2020. Votes – Hipkins stepped down and resigned earlier in the year.

Rule with a weak minority

The Conservatives could form a coalition with the ultra-liberal ACT, which would in principle ally with the Conservatives in a minority government and govern with a weak majority. This contrasts with Orton’s historic win in 2020.

Luxon, a proponent of a crackdown on street gangs, has promised to reduce inflation, cut public spending and stimulate the economy by attracting investment, approving Chinese capital for infrastructure and lower taxes, among other promises.

ies (EFE, DPA