New Zealand elects new government
New Zealand elects new conservative government
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Sunday, 09, Nov 2008 01:05
New Zealand has elected a new conservative prime minister, John Key, to lead the country through recession.
The National Party was voted in yesterday, ousting the ruling central-left Labour Party and prime minister, Helen Clark.
"Today, New Zealand has spoken, in their hundreds of thousands, they have voted for change," Mr Key said.
Winning 45 per cent of the vote, against 34 per cent for Labour, the National Party was left just short of an overall majority.
It will form a coalition with two smaller parties, the United Future and ACT parties.
Mr Key also said he would seek the help of the Maori Party to govern.
Ms Clark announced her resignation following the defeat, as did her deputy and finance minister Michael Cullen.
Over has nine years in power, Ms Clark's government has introduced several laws to help fight global warming and assist the indigenous population, and there are now fears these policies could be rolled back.
Mr Key, a multi-millionaire and former foreign currency trader, has made it clear during the campaign that the economy will be at the top of the agenda.