Kerre Woodham: I feel more positive than I have in years
Newstalkzb.Co.NzNov 23, 2023
New Zealand's Luxon Secures Deal to Form Coalition Government
Image copyright: Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images News [via Getty Images]
The Facts
New Zealand's center-right National Party, which won the largest share of votes in the country's general election on Oct. 14, announced Thursday it had secured an agreement with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First to form a majority government.
The prospective coalition government will hold approximately 53% of the nation's popular vote, with the National Party receiving 38% of public support in October compared to 9% and 6% for ACT and New Zealand First, respectively.
The Spin
Right narrative
New Zealand's newfound coalition agreement provides an opportunity for stability and positivity within politics, which simply never occurred under Labour. For New Zealand, real politics is back on the menu — hopefully replacing the continual stream of inept mistakes witnessed under the left in years prior.
Left narrative
Despite positive rhetoric, Luxon's inability to form a timely coalition government will likely only embolden ACT and New Zealand First to impose their wills upon New Zealand's political future. There seem to be too many self-interested egos steering the ship for this government to even remotely provide success. It wouldn't be a surprise if the right-wing coalition crumbles quicker than it took them to come together.