After Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s surprising resignation, New Zealand is looking for a successor to the post. A candidate has now been found. It is said to be Police and Education Secretary Chris Hipkins.
Former New Zealand Police and Education Minister Chris Hipkins is to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The 44-year-old was formally confirmed as the successor by a Labor Party committee on Sunday, along with his future deputy Carmel Sepuloni, a representative of the Pacific Islanders. Hipkins announced at a press conference on Sunday that he would be sworn in as the new prime minister on Wednesday.
The 42-year-old Ardern, who has ruled the country since 2017, surprisingly announced on Thursday that she would withdraw by February 7 and said that she lacked the strength to continue. She is expected to step down shortly before Hipkins is then sworn in as the country’s 41st prime minister. He is then to lead the country in the elections scheduled for October 14.
