Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden has retained her seat following the recent election that she won in a landslide under the umbrella of the Labour Party.
According to local reports, the win wasn’t surprising because Ardern’s leadership has helped New Zealand become one of the most successful countries in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
In her victory speech, Ardern acknowledged that while her party has “a very strong and a very clear mandate,” she promised to be a voice for all New Zealanders.
“We are living in an increasingly polarized world,” the 40-year-old Ardern told hundreds of cheering supporters.
“A place where more and more people have lost the ability to see one another’s point of view, I hope that this election, New Zealand has shown that this is not who we are. That as a nation we can listen and we can debate. After all, we are too small to lose sight of other people’s perspective.”
“Elections aren’t always great at bringing people together,” Ardern added. “But they also don’t need to tear one another apart. And in times of crisis, I believe New Zealand has shown that.”
Speaking on the totality of the election, National Party leader Judith Collins said “We will take time to reflect and we will review and we will change”
“National will reemerge from this loss a stronger, disciplined and more connected party.”
It should be noted that Arden is the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand and was first elected in 2017. She was first elected to the House of Representatives as a list MP in 2008.
