@ Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand PM, Announces Resignation

[nothingcontroversial]

Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister next month, saying she no longer has "enough in the tank" to lead.

Ms Ardern choked up as she detailed how six "challenging" years in the job had taken a toll.

She will step down as Labour Party leader no later than 7 February. There will be a vote in the coming days to determine her replacement.

New Zealand will hold a general election on 14 October.


www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64327224

Edit: I updated to add @ since the bbc article briefly mentions @ and now some of the comments do as well.

[underwaterrhymes]

I love her and this is so disappointing. ETA - but I totally understand. Leading a country and knowing when to step down is a rare skill.

[nsl]

It strikes me that Jacinda Adern is my age--which is younger than many other posters here--and has accomplished so much for her country while also being a human being who give birth to her only child while in office. If anyone deserves to take a breather to raise her young kid and focus on things other than domestic and international crises for awhile it's her.

[erbear]

This bums me out. She is someone I have come to really admire and I hope another woman gets the job. But yes, I can why 6 years (during a pandemic, no less, is enough.

[Velar Fricative]

While this is a bummer, it’s also refreshing that a leader is self-aware enough to make this decision. Now can she spread this level of self-awareness to many of our own political leaders?

[seeyalater52]

Jan 18, 2023 20:49:24 GMT -5 nsl said:

It strikes me that Jacinda Adern is my age--which is younger than many other posters here--and has accomplished so much for her country while also being a human being who give birth to her only child while in office. If anyone deserves to take a breather to raise her young kid and focus on things other than domestic and international crises for awhile it's her.

Yes!!! I’m not even bummed. 6 years is a great run. She did a phenomenal job against incredible odds given the state of the world during her tenure. I hope she has the ability now to step back and enjoy her life and her family.

Frankly I wish more random regular people were able to/empowered to/financially able to do this. I’m mid 30s and this year in particular I’ve felt so exhausted by the “rat race” of work obligations. Why do we all spend so much time working? It’s awful.

[Susie]

My knee jerk reaction was aw man, because I love to see a woman with a big job like that, on an international stage, consistently blowing it away.  She is so good at it!

But then I thought about it just a little more, and I actually kind of feel like this is on key with the level she's been working at the job.  She has the presence of mind and the self awareness to realize that she's burned out (my interpretation) after 6 tremendously intense years, both personally and professionally, and the honesty to say that the job requires someone fresh -- and that she requires some time for her other priorities.  Chuck Schumer, Chuck Grassley, and many others, take some notes.  Even in resigning she's setting an example that I hope more can follow.

[gretchenindisguise]

Yes, all the same feelings. Bummed because she rocked it so well and was an inspiration, proud because she able to say done.