Mondays. Some of them are quiet. Some of them are absolutely bananas. This one’s definitely the latter, and it ain’t even lunchtime yet.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has announced he will be resigning from his position as leader of the country, and of the governing New Zealand National Party, effective next Monday.
Key’s decision to walk away from the post comes as something of a shock, given how late in the year it is. The New Zealand caucus is now expected to meet and elect a new party leader and subsequent PM before Christmas.
Fronting media a short while ago, a very tired-looking Key asserted that he had “nothing left in the tank” after 8 years in office as PM, and that putting his full attention and effort into running the country had come at a great personal cost to his family.
Key stated that he could not look the public in the eye and truthfully declare that he had it in him to contest and serve a potential fourth term as the nation’s Prime Minister, and has chosen now as the time to stand aside in order for fresh leadership of the National Party to take over ahead of the forthcoming New Zealand election next year.
“Throughout these years, I have given everything I could to this job.”
“I’ve never seen myself as a career politician. I’ve never wanted my success to be measured by how long I’ve spent in Parliament.”“Simply put for me, it has been the most remarkable and satisfying time of my life.”
When prompted by the media, Key gave an endorsement to Deputy PM Bill English, stating he thought he would be a “fine Prime Minister.”
As far as the future is concerned, Key asserts he has no immediate plans beyond simply “going home” to his family.
Key’s 8 years as NZ PM followed on from a similarly lengthy term from Labour PM Helen Clark.
The National Party is due to meet next Monday, December 12, to discuss candidates for the country’s top job.
Source: SMH.
Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty.
