How Jacinda Ardern’s Path to Power in New Zealand Transpired
Many are often puzzled about how Jacinda Ardern, a relatively young and inexperienced candidate, became the Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017. This article aims to demystify the situation by providing a comprehensive overview of the political dynamics and electoral processes that led to her rise to power.
Understanding New Zealand’s Electoral System
New Zealand operates under a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system, which combines a party list proportional representation with single-member constituencies. In this system, political parties secure seats in the parliament based on the votes they receive. There are two major parties, Labour (Liberal) and National (Conservative), alongside several smaller parties ranging across the political spectrum.
Coalition Building in New Zealand Politics
To form a government, a majority is required. This is usually achieved by partnering with one or more smaller parties. Labour has traditionally formed coalitions with left-wing parties such as the Green Party, while National's main ally is the ACT (Action) Party. There is also New Zealand First, a 'swing' party that has alternated between partnerships with Labour and National. New Zealand First is a populist party, focusing on issues such as immigration, and is led by Winston Peters, a controversial figure in New Zealand politics.
Jacinda Ardern's 2017 Victory
In the 2017 election, Jacinda Ardern was the underdog, significantly lacking in political experience in comparison to the incumbent National leader, Bill English. Labour garnered 956,184 votes, while National received 1,152,075 votes. Despite these numbers, a coalition was necessary to form a government, leading to Winston Peters becoming the kingmaker. This strategic position allowed Peters to play a significant part in the formation of the government.
Bill English and most media pundits believed that National would win and become the democratic preference. However, Peters had a personal vendetta against the National Party, possibly fueled by issues that impacted his ego. After a period of suspense and media speculation, Peters decided to support Labour, making Jacinda Ardern the prime minister.
Labor Party Leadership and Recent Political Developments
While Jacinda Ardern was indeed elected by a popular vote, her appointment as the leader of the Labour Party was not the result of a public vote. Leadership positions within political parties are often decided internally. The current Labour Party leader is not a result of a general election; it is a position that can be assumed based on party conventions and internal processes. However, come election day, the leader of the party in power typically becomes the Prime Minister, provided that the party holds the majority of seats.
It should be noted that the political landscape in New Zealand is constantly evolving. Currently, there is a possibility that another party, such as National, could win the election, leading to a new leader becoming the Prime Minister. The formation of coalitions and the distribution of power among smaller parties play a crucial role in determining who will lead the country.
Thus, while Jacinda Ardern's rise to power in 2017 was somewhat unexpected due to her inexperience, it was a result of the complex political dynamics and the strategic negotiations that are characteristic of New Zealand’s unique electoral system.
Keywords: Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Election, MMP System