China News Service, January 21 (Xinhua) According to the Associated Press, on the 21st local time in New Zealand, New Zealand Education Minister Chris Hipkins (Chris Hipkins) will be the only candidate to succeed Ardern as the leader of the New Zealand Labor Party. He will be the next Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Data map: Chris Hipkins.
It is reported that the New Zealand Labor Party leadership election will be held on the 22nd. Hipkins is the only nominated candidate, and he still needs formal approval from his colleagues in the party.
A formal transfer of power is expected to take place in the next few days.
According to the Associated Press, Hipkins, 44, has played the role of a crisis manager during the COVID-19 pandemic and has become the focus of public attention.
According to previous reports, Ardern announced on the 19th that he would resign as prime minister on the grounds that he did not have enough energy and ability to complete the work of the new year and the next term.
She said she would step down by early February and would not seek re-election.