New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern delays election over coronavirus outbreak – The Washington Post

New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern delays election over coronavirus outbreak - The Washington Post 2CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday postponed New Zealand’s general election, scheduled for Sept. 19, for four weeks as authorities grapple with a new wave of coronavirus cases that has set back the country’s pandemic recovery.The decision follows confirmation last Tuesday that several members of a family in Auckland had tested positive for the virus, ending the Ardern government’s record of more than 100 days without a known case of community transmission.Ardern’s move followed calls from leaders of other parties, including Winston Peters, deputy leader of her ruling coalition, to postpone the vote. She denied, however, that political pressure played a role in her decision.“Even if I had not picked up the phone and contacted anyone, I believe this is still the outcome I would have arrived at,” she told reporters, stressing that she had “absolutely no intention” of delaying the vote, rescheduled for Oct. 17, a second time.

Source: New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern delays election over coronavirus outbreak – The Washington Post


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