Jacinda Ardern is stepping down as New Zealand's Prime Minister.
Arden made the unexpected announcement during her party's annual caucus on January 19, saying she will not seek re-election and will leave her role no later than February 7, less than 3 years after winning the election.
"I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It's that simple," Arden announced.
She explained that she came to this decision after reflecting during the summer break on whether she had enough energy to continue leading the country until its next general election, scheduled for October 14 2023.
"I had hoped that I would find what I needed to carry on over that period but, unfortunately, I haven't, and I would be doing a disservice to New Zealand to continue.
The real reason for Jacinda's stepping down is however different.
A Guardian report in December 2022 said that going by a new polling support for the Labour Party had dropped down to its lowest point since it came to power in 2017 due to growing dissatisfaction with the high cost of living, inflation, soaring prices, rising interest rates and concerns about crime. The pandemic social and economic consequences have been so severe that having a fresh new face could help Labour in the upcoming elections, said party officials.
In other words, Jacinda Ardern has been asked by the Labour Party to step down and she did.
