“I have time [aiziet]. I just don’t have enough [spēka] another four years,” Ardern told a meeting of her Labor Party members.
In 2017, Ardern became prime minister in the coalition government, but in 2020, the center-left Labor Party won the parliamentary elections. In recent opinion polls, the popularity of her party and the prime minister herself have fallen.
In her first public appearance since parliament went on summer break a month ago, Ardern said she had hoped to find the energy to continue running the government during the break, but had been unable to do so.
Ardern also announced that the next parliamentary elections will be held on October 14, but she will continue her work as a member of parliament until then.
“I’m leaving not because I believe we can’t win the next election, but because I believe we can and will win,” Ardern said.
Ardern said her resignation would take effect no later than February 7, and added that the Labor Party would vote on a new leader on January 22. Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson has announced that he will not run.
The prime minister said her resignation was no secret.
“I’m human. We give as much as we can while we can, and then it’s time [aiziet]. This time has come for me. I am leaving because such a privileged job comes with great responsibility. It’s a responsibility to know when you’re the right person to lead and also when you’re not,” Ardern said.
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