THE CORONAVIRUS PLAGUE AND MASS SHOOTINGS WORE NEW ZEALAND’S IRON LADY OUT. PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN ANNOUNCES SUDDEN RESIGNATION IN DRAMATIC SPEECH WHERE SHE BECAME EMOTIONAL

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced her resignation ( Image: Getty Images)

THE CORONAVIRUS PLAGUE AND MASS SHOOTINGS WORE NEW ZEALAND’S IRON LADY OUT. PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN ANNOUNCES SUDDEN RESIGNATION IN DRAMATIC SPEECH WHERE SHE BECAME EMOTIONAL

 

Jacinda Ardern has resigned as Prime Minister of New Zealand after telling a stunned party conference that she no longer has “enough in the tank” to do the job justice

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she is resigning in an emotional address.

The premier revealed that she would step down February 7 and will not contest this year’s election.

Holding back tears as she spoke to a New Zealand Labour party caucus on Thursday, Ms Ardern said: “I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple

“I am human, politicians are human. We give all that we can for as long as we can. And then it’s time. And for me, it’s time,”

She added that she had taken the decision after months of deliberation, and hoped to spend more time with her family following October’s elections.

The PM spoke directly to members of her family during the speech, telling her four-year-old daughter Neve: “Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,”

She also asked her fiancé Clarke Gayford if they could “finally get married” after the coronavirus pandemic thwarted their earlier plans.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s office released after her speech said the “privilege” of her role included “the responsibility to know when you’re the right person to lead, and also when you’re not.”

Australian PM Anthony Albanese was quick to respond to the news with kind words for his “great friend”, writing on Twitter: “Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.

“She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities. Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.” 

Source: Mirror, Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

To read more, click here: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-new-zealand-prime-minister-28993569