New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is stepping down ahead of the next election

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, said on Thursday she will step down in a few weeks. She said she doesn’t think she has the energy to run again in October.

At a press conference, Ardern said her term would end on February 7, when she expects a new Labor prime minister to be sworn in. “Depending on the process, that could be sooner.”

“The decision was my own,” Ardern said. “Running a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also the most challenging. You can’t and shouldn’t do it unless you have a full tank, plus a little reserve for those unexpected challenges.”

Jacinda Ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength.

She has shown that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.

Jacinda has been a fierce advocate for New Zealand, an inspiration to so many and a good friend to me. pic.twitter.com/QJ64mNCJMI

— Anthony Albanian (@AlboMP) January 19, 2023

“I don’t have enough in the tank anymore [the job] justice,” she added. She said she gave herself time at the end of 2022 to reflect on whether she still had what it took to be prime minister. Finally, she decided it was time to step down.

However, she added: “I’m not leaving because it was difficult. If that had been the case, I would have left after just two months.” she said, citing the Covid-19 epidemic, the 2019 Christchurch terror incident and the devastating volcanic eruption on Waiheke Islandbetter known as White Island.

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She also said the early announcement will help government agencies and political parties plan and prepare. General elections will be held on October 14.

When Ardern became Prime Minister in 2017 at the age of 37, she was the third woman to lead New Zealand and one of the youngest world leaders. Within a year, she became only the second world leader to have a baby while in office.

She was re-elected for a second term in 2020. That of her government “go hard and go early” Handling the pandemic has allowed New Zealand to avoid the devastating outbreaks in other places.

Jacinda Ardern is a young, experienced, female leader and that has angered many people who are stuck in the past, both in New Zealand and around the world.

Congratulations Jacinda Ardern on all you’ve accomplished. pic.twitter.com/Ayy22qIbHU

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) January 19, 2023

Following the announcement on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted that Ardern “showed the world how to lead with intelligence and strength” and she was “a good friend to me.”

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