Well, this is a shocker. Not that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern chose to resign; it’s a shock that she didn’t even try to admit she failed horribly in her handling of the COVID pandemic. For certain, this is part and parcel of why she chose to make this impromptu exit.
Instead, Ardern gave an emotional, “Rah Rah” speech where she blathered on about “empathy,” and “strength.” Two things that she failed to show the people of New Zealand.
Jacinda Ardern has stepped down as New Zealand prime minister in an emotional and surprise announcement.
Read more: https://t.co/NwTJbFVEKG pic.twitter.com/N6jKMLUHDW— SBS News (@SBSNews) January 19, 2023
From CNN:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday she will stand aside for a new leader within weeks, saying she doesn’t believe she has the energy to seek re-election in the October polls.
Speaking at news conference, Ardern said her term would end by February 7, when she expects a new Labour prime minister will be sworn in – though “depending on the process that could be earlier.”
“The decision was my own,” Ardern said. “Leading a country is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also the most challenging. You cannot and should not do it unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unexpected challenges.”
“I no longer have enough in the tank to [the job] justice,” she added.
She said at the end of 2022, she took time to consider whether she had what it takes to continue as prime minister – ultimately concluding it was time to step down.
Could it have been because of this?
Dear @jacindaardern. In this interview, you divided vaccinated and unvaccinated into different classes of people and justified the scandalous deprivation of fundamental rights for those who decided to not get the shot. Don't you think it's about time to resign? Oh wait… pic.twitter.com/3UVOhPFWOE
— Dr. Simon Goddek (@goddeketal) January 19, 2023
Or this?
Jacinda Ardern resigned knowing full well her days were numbered.
For some time now the people have rallied against her. Opposing her tyrannical covid dictates which had destroyed civil liberties and the economy.
Their voices have now been heard 🔥🔥
— Kat A 🌸 (@SaiKate108) January 19, 2023
Jacinda Ardern has resigned as New Zealand’s Prime Minister knowing full well she was about to be brutally booted from office by Kiwis who woke up to her Covid authoritarianism, Be Kind hypocrisy and an economic catastrophe she inflicted on an amazing country.
Good riddance.— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) January 19, 2023
But according to Ardern, it’s all good. She’s not departing because it became too difficult. If that was the case, she would have resigned two months into 2020. How many in the nation would have been better off having she done so? Ardern unceremoniously declared her country a no-go zone in response to COVID and locked down the entire nation of five million people. Seeking a goal of “Zero COVID,” Ardern trampled on civil liberties and demonized the unvaccinated.
No doubt, the people of New Zealand are counting the days she will be gone, and hoping she doesn’t let the door hit her on the way out.
She said at the end of 2022, she took time to consider whether she had what it takes to continue as prime minister – ultimately concluding it was time to step down.
However, she added: “I am not leaving because it was hard. If that was the case, I probably would have departed two months in the job,” listing various challenges her administration faced, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2019 Christchurch terror attack and the deadly volcanic eruption on Waiheke Island, also known as White Island.
The early announcement will allow for planning and preparation by government agencies and political parties, she added.
The general election will be held on October 14.
Prayers for New Zealand. May they do better at choosing their new leader than we have been.
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