New Zealand PM John Key :New Zealand’s widely admired Prime Minister John Key shocked the nation when he announced he was leaving the top job after being the leader of the country for 8 years.
It was anticipated that New Zealand’s most popular leader would contest his fourth general election next year. According to him the reason behind his resignation is that he did not want to make the mistake of clinging on to his authoritarian position like some other world leaders have done, and instead wanted to leave while he was on top of his game.
The New Zealand dollar fell by nearly 1 percent on the news and was trading at $0.71 U.S.
His National Party committee would meet on December 12th to decide on a new party leader and prime minister, although he is backing his deputy Bill English for the top job. Key is expected to formally handover his resignation on the same say.
“Simply put, it has, for me, been the most remarkable, satisfying and exciting time of my life,” he said. “But despite the amazing career I have had in politics, I have never seen myself as a career politician. I have certainly never wanted my success in politics to be measured by how long I spent in Parliament.”
New Zealand PM John Key : Family
Being a family man, Key said he now has to amend his family relations as it took a toll during the period he was the Prime Minister of the country. He wishes to be a complete family man and therefore does not wishes to ignore his family anymore.
“For my wife Bronagh, there have been many nights and weekends spent alone, many occasions that were important to her that I simply could not attend,” he said in a jittery voice. “My daughter Stephie and my son Max have transitioned from teenagers to young adults while coping with an extraordinary level of intrusion and pressure because of their father’s job.”
New Zealand PM John Key : The Popular Leader
Until his abrupt announcement, with his high popularity ratings, his party was a clear favorite to win the next year’s general election again. He won subsequent elections in 2011 and 2014.
Key was a successful currency dealer before first he became a lawmaker in 2002. He had a quick ascend, becoming leader of his center-right opposition party in 2006 and then winning his first general election to become Prime Minister in 2008.
Key said that steering the country of 4.7 million through the economic crisis of 2008 and on to relative economic success was a proud accomplishment. He also talked about the importance of standing beside the people of Christchurch after an earthquake in 2011 killed 185 people.
New Zealand PM John Key : Life After
He said he wasn’t sure what life after politics would bring, other than he would probably take up positions on a couple of boards. He said he would remain on as a member of parliament long enough that he wouldn’t force a special election ahead of next year’s General Elections.
“All I can say is that I gave it everything I had,” said the Kiwi Prime Minister. “I have left nothing in the tank.”
