Former KPMG consultant may decide who runs New Zealand
The centrist party is poised to clear the 5% threshold and could choose New Zealand’s next government if polls hold, analysts say.
- On Saturday, voters in New Zealand decide a tight election where the centrist Opportunity party, led by Qiulae Wong, could hold the balance of power between major coalitions.
- Support for Wellington's dominant National and Labour parties has cratered below 30% amid voter frustration with soaring living costs, stubbornly high unemployment, and a stagnant economy in recent years.
- Led by 38-year-old Wong, Opportunity pitches business and climate-friendly policies including a land tax; the party looks set to cross the 5% threshold, a "super significant" feat for a total outsider party in 30 years, said Lara Greaves, an associate professor in politics at Wellington's Victoria University.
- These coalition agreements are "unprecedented territory," says Greaves, as minor parties demand significant influence, making it "really hard to know what you're voting for" when fringe policies can end up on the government's agenda.
- But Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has ruled out a deal with Opportunity, potentially forcing him to rely on right-wing partners ACT and New Zealand First, led by Winston Peters, who have touted deepening Culture War-style policies.
11 Articles
11 Articles
A moderate millennial newcomer could decide knife-edge New Zealand election
By Todd Symons, CNN New Zealand is set for one of its tightest elections in years, with the incumbent conservative coalition facing an uncertain path to power and polls pointing to a millennial newcomer becoming the kingmaker.Support for two parties that have dominated Wellington politics for almost a century – the center-right National party and center-left Labour party – has cratered below 30% respectively in public polling, with voters turnin…
On Saturday New Zealand elects a new parliament. The country fights against housing shortages, inflation and emigration. People's parties lose support – and an ex-company consultant who found her job by job advertisement could become a king-maker.
New Zealanders are electing a new parliament on Saturday in one of the most uncertain elections in recent years, with polls showing that the centrist Opportunity Party, led by 38-year-old Qiulae Wong, could decide who forms the government.
Inflation, housing shortages and emigration are on the rise in New Zealand. Before the parliamentary election on Saturday, the People's Party loses support. An ex-company consultant who found her job as party leader by job advertisement could become a king-maker.
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