Leftist New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reportedly announced her resignation on Wednesday, citing a lack of endurance to run for re-election.
Her tenure ends on February 7, and an election is scheduled on October 14.
“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. 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 said.
While in power, Ardern was notorious for restricting people’s freedoms in her nation, including severe pandemic lockdowns, gun prohibitions, and campaigning for internet speech regulation.
Ardern took such extreme stances on the pandemic that she allowed a statewide lockdown after just one case was detected in the country.
Following a shooting in Australia few years ago, the 42-year-old hurried to take a political opportunity, announcing that the country would prohibit semi-automatic long weapons and order individuals to surrender them.
Ardern was chastised for comparing internet expression to a dangerous weapon during a speech to the United Nations in September.
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