Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, shocked New Zealand on Thursday by announcing that she had “no more in the tank” to continue leading the nation and will resign no later than early February and not seek re-election.
Ardern said, It had been a difficult five and a half years as prime minister, adding that she needed to step down because she was only human.
“I know there will be much discussion in the aftermath of this decision as to what the so called ‘real’ reason was… The only interesting angle you will find is that after going on six years of some big challenges, that I am human,” she said. “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.”
On Sunday, members of the ruling New Zealand Labor Party will vote for a new leader. The winner will serve as prime minister up to the following general election. A general election will be held on October 14 and Ardern’s tenure as leader will end no later than February 7.
Ardern asserted that she was leaving the position not because it was difficult, but rather because she thought others could do it better.
In addition to telling her longtime partner Clarke Gayford that it was time for them to get married, she made a point of telling her daughter Neve that she was excited to be there when she started school this year.
