This was formally confirmed by a Labor Party committee on Sunday. He will be sworn in as the new prime minister on Wednesday, Hipkins said at a press conference on Sunday. The 44-year-old’s deputy will be Carmel Sepuloni, who is of Pacific Islander origin.
The 42-year-old former Prime Minister Ardern, who has ruled the country since 2017, surprisingly announced her resignation on Thursday, as reported, and stated that she lacked the strength to continue.
Hipkins was the only candidate, Labor said. He had rendered outstanding service as the responsible minister during the corona pandemic. After the nomination, he said of himself that he considered himself “pretty decisive” and could “get things done”. Now he is to lead the Labor Party in the elections scheduled for October 14 as the 41st head of government.
