Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 04 December 2016: New Zealand Prime Minister Announces Resignation

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, has unexpectedly resigned. The leader of the centre-right party has said that he does not see himself as a career politician and had ‘nothing left in the tank’. Having been prime minister of eight years, Mr Key is credited with helping boost New Zealand’s economy through tax cuts and free trade deals.

The Deputy Prime Minister Bill English is likely to take over until the National party holds a caucus to choose a key leader. Of the three senior ministers poised to contend for the leadership of the National Party, and for Prime Minister, Bill English is both favoured by voters and has received the endorsement of the outgoing Mr Key. National elections are not expected until late 2017.