Ardern is admired around the world for her empathetic and effective leadership style.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has surprisingly announced that she will step down from her post in February.
“I don’t have enough (gasoline) in the tank anymore,” said an emotional Ardern as she announced her upcoming resignation.
Her 42-year-old policy explained that her almost 6 “challenging” years in office had taken their toll on her and she does not see herself with the strength to run in the general elections to be held in October in her country.
Ardern’s last day as prime minister will be February 7.
There will be a vote in the coming days to determine her replacement as leader of the New Zealand Labor Party.
“It would hurt New Zealand if it continued”
The Oceanian country will hold a general election on October 14.
Ardern said that she had taken some time to consider her future during the southern summer vacation.
“I was hoping to find what I needed to continue through that period, but unfortunately I haven’t. It would be doing a disservice to New Zealand if it continued,” she told reporters.
The politician became the world’s youngest head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 at the age of 37.
She has led New Zealand through difficult times, such as the covid-19 pandemic, the shooting at a Christchurch mosque, or a volcanic eruption on White Island.
“It’s one thing to lead your country in times of peace, and another to guide them through a crisis,” she said.
“These events…have been exhausting because of the weight, its sheer weight and its nature. There was never a moment where she felt like we were just ruling.”
Her popularity in New Zealand has dipped to new lows in recent months, according to polls.
But Ella Ardern said that she is not resigning because she does not believe that Labor cannot win the election, but because she believes that they do.
“We need a new set of shoulders for that challenge,” she said.
Following the announcement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Adern.
“Jacinda has been a fierce supporter of New Zealand, an inspiration to many and a great friend to me,” she wrote on Twitter.