New Zealand election early count shows two main parties near deadlocked
Counting is still underway as special votes and coalition talks could decide whether National keeps power by a single seat.
- New Zealand's ruling National Party and opposition Labour were neck-and-neck on Saturday as counting began in the general election. With over half of votes counted, both parties polled just short of 30%, struggling to secure an outright majority.
- Voters have lost faith in Labour and National due to a sluggish economy, rising costs of living, and unemployment reaching 5.7%, its highest level in 11 years. Historically, support for both major parties has reached low levels amid infrastructure concerns.
- Under the MMP system, a party or coalition must secure a majority to govern. Neither establishment group is projected to win enough seats independently, making a coalition with smaller parties almost certain.
- Led by former KPMG consultant Qiulae Wong, the upstart Opportunity Party could hold a kingmaker role in the next government. Early results show the party crossing the threshold needed to gain seats in parliament.
- Official results will not be released until Nov 27, delaying final government formation. Special votes, which have historically favored the left, will then be counted, potentially shifting the final seat count for Labour and National.
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41 Articles
National Party and Labour, after counting 90 percent of the votes, are almost the same with around 29 percent each.
The ruling Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party are on about 29% of the vote. Smaller parties could be crucial in forming the next government. The New Zealand parliamentary election on November 7 turned into a close contest between the ruling National Party of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the opposition Labour Party, led by former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Preliminary results show a narrow lead between the two political forc…
As vote counting continues in New Zealand's general election, a neck-and-neck race is unfolding between the ruling center-right National Party and the main opposition Labour Party. Initial results suggest both parties are below 30% of the vote, and the current governing coalition is projected to retain a majority in parliament by just one seat.
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