New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, says she is relieved at her decision to resign in the next few weeks.
“I slept well last night for the first time in a long time,” the 42-year-old told journalists at Napier Airport today. The Labor politician tearfully announced yesterday that she wanted to step down as Prime Minister by February 7.
“Of course, I’m still going through a series of emotions. I’m sad, but I also feel relieved,” Ardern said smiling the day following. She was particularly moved by the many messages of thanks she had received since then.
Internationally, Jacinda Ardern, who was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of only 37, was seen and celebrated as a symbol for women in leadership positions and political star – also for her handling of the CoV pandemic. In New Zealand, on the other hand, opposition to Ardern and her government grew.