Jacinda Ardern steps down as New Zealand PM

Highlights

• The leader cited burnout as one of the chief causes for stepping down.
• Arden also resigned as the leader of Labour Party.
• She became the second PM after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto to give birth while serving office.

Jacinda Ardern, the 40^th Prime Minister of New Zealand, announced that she will resign from office and as the leader of the Labour Party. The 42-year-old leader is stepping down after nearly six years as the Prime Minister citing burnout and the desire to spend more time with her family.

Arden will remain in office until February 7 of this year. She was elected in October of 2017, taking over from Bill English who held the position since 2016.

Ardern became the world’s youngest woman Prime Minister at 37.

Soon after her announcement, the resignation became a topic of discussion on social media with many users and world leaders expressing shock at the sudden revelation.

Source- Pexels

Often described as a "trailblazer" and "a political star" by the media, Ardern has been praised for her work on issues such as women abortion and LGBTQ rights during her term as Prime Minister. She has also been extensively applauded for her ability to handle events during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ardern served as the Leader of Opposition and Member of Parliament for Mount Albert for four years before becoming Prime Minister.

She assumed office after forming a coalition with Winston Peters-led New Zealand First party.

The Labour Party leader gave birth to a daughter on June 21, 2018, becoming the second PM in the world after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990 to give birth while serving office.

The resignation comes at a time when New Zealand is dealing with several political and economic turmoil. Her successor will be dealing with longstanding issues such as inflation, expensive housing and child poverty.

With incumbent deputy PM Grant Robertson refusing to run for the elections, speculations are rife on who will hold the position next. Recent opinion polls in media indicate a dip in Labour Party’s popularity.

A vote to elect the next elect Labour Party leader will take place on January 22, as per multiple media reports.