New Zealand election: National Party wins most votes but not enough to govern outright
That means New Zealanders may need to wait for days or weeks before knowing who their next leader will be as the different political parties try to negotiate with each other to secure a majority.
With nearly all votes counted, the National Party was leading with 46 per cent, while support for Labour was 35.8 per cent, according to the Electoral Commission.
Speaking to supporters in Auckland, Prime Minister Bill English underscored that "just short of half of all New Zealanders voted National" but said it was clear his party could not form government alone.
Under New Zealand's proportional voting system, large parties typically must form alliances with smaller ones in order to govern.
"As we go into negotiations with the intention of forming a stable government that enables this country to deliver for New Zealanders," Mr English said.
"In the next few days we will begin discussions with New Zealand First, finding common ground, and, most importantly, taking on the responsibility of forming the kind of government that will enable New Zealand to get on with its success."
"We don't need to rush this process."
That means there is still a chance Mr English's main challenger, Labour's Jacinda Ardern, could get the top job.
"I simply cannot predict at this point what decisions other leaders will make."
Ms Ardern said it would be difficult to complete coalition talks before all votes were tallied.
New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English has claimed a mandate to form the next government after winning the biggest slice of the vote in Saturday’s election, even as opposition leader Jacinda Ardern refuses to concede defeat.
“With a 10-point lead over the Labour Party, we’re in a pretty strong position,” English told media in Auckland Sunday. “We want to set about forming a strong and stable government with a reasonable majority in the house.”
The final outcome now rests with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, a 72-year-old maverick who could support either side and can be expected to extract a high price for his backing. Negotiations could last several weeks, extending the period of uncertainty around the election that has unsettled financial markets, but analysts said any fears of radical change had been allayed by National’s strong performance.
English, 55, is seeking a rare fourth term for his party, which has delivered eight consecutive years of economic growth and returned the budget to surplus during nine years in power. But a strong challenge from Labour under 37-year-old Ardern has highlighted growing concerns about poverty, homelessness and the environment which the new government will need to address.
“There may be some more volatility to come as bits of information dribble out on the likely make-up of a coalition.”
bonus: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_English
That means New Zealanders may need to wait for days or weeks before knowing who their next leader will be as the different political parties try to negotiate with each other to secure a majority.
With nearly all votes counted, the National Party was leading with 46 per cent, while support for Labour was 35.8 per cent, according to the Electoral Commission.
Speaking to supporters in Auckland, Prime Minister Bill English underscored that "just short of half of all New Zealanders voted National" but said it was clear his party could not form government alone.
Under New Zealand's proportional voting system, large parties typically must form alliances with smaller ones in order to govern.
"As we go into negotiations with the intention of forming a stable government that enables this country to deliver for New Zealanders," Mr English said.
"In the next few days we will begin discussions with New Zealand First, finding common ground, and, most importantly, taking on the responsibility of forming the kind of government that will enable New Zealand to get on with its success."
"We don't need to rush this process."
That means there is still a chance Mr English's main challenger, Labour's Jacinda Ardern, could get the top job.
"I simply cannot predict at this point what decisions other leaders will make."
Ms Ardern said it would be difficult to complete coalition talks before all votes were tallied.
New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English has claimed a mandate to form the next government after winning the biggest slice of the vote in Saturday’s election, even as opposition leader Jacinda Ardern refuses to concede defeat.
“With a 10-point lead over the Labour Party, we’re in a pretty strong position,” English told media in Auckland Sunday. “We want to set about forming a strong and stable government with a reasonable majority in the house.”
The final outcome now rests with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, a 72-year-old maverick who could support either side and can be expected to extract a high price for his backing. Negotiations could last several weeks, extending the period of uncertainty around the election that has unsettled financial markets, but analysts said any fears of radical change had been allayed by National’s strong performance.
English, 55, is seeking a rare fourth term for his party, which has delivered eight consecutive years of economic growth and returned the budget to surplus during nine years in power. But a strong challenge from Labour under 37-year-old Ardern has highlighted growing concerns about poverty, homelessness and the environment which the new government will need to address.
“There may be some more volatility to come as bits of information dribble out on the likely make-up of a coalition.”
bonus: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_English
