New Zealand’s general election remained too close to call on Saturday as early results rolled in, with the ruling National Party and the opposition Labour Party neck and neck and neither expected to win enough seats to govern alone.
By 9pm local time, with more than 30 percent of votes counted, National was projected to win 41 seats and Labour 36, according to data from the Electoral Commission. The campaign was dominated by the cost of living and the economy, with unemployment at its highest in more than a decade.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had hoped his right-wing coalition could cling to power on promises of no new taxes, after three fractious years in office. Labour leader Chris Hipkins promised help with living costs, including free doctor’s visits and prescriptions and a cap on public transport fares. A final opinion poll released on Friday put Labour at 30 percent of the vote, just ahead of National.
With no party set for a majority, attention has turned to the minor parties, in particular the upstart centrist Opportunity Party. Early results put Opportunity above the five percent threshold needed to win seats in parliament, and its leader, Qiulae Wong, said she could work with whichever party wins the most seats. “You guys have voted for unity over division,” she said as votes trickled in. “You have voted to change New Zealand politics for good.”
New Zealand uses a mixed-member proportional system, under which voters choose both a party and a local electorate candidate. Official results are expected on 27 November.
Source: Arab News (AFP)
