NZ leaders queuing up to woo MP Peters
BOTH of New Zealand’s major political parties moved to open coalition negotiations with maverick MP Winston Peters yesterday after the country’s general election stalemate left him in the position of kingmaker.
Prime Minister Bill English was looking for his National Party to stitch up a deal as soon as possible, while Jacinda Ardern’s opposition Labour Party was keen to wait until all postal and overseas votes are counted in two weeks before final deal is cut.
English appeared to be in the driving seat to form a government due to tensions among the opposition parties that would need to unite to unseat him.
His National Party performed strongly in Saturday’s election to claim 46.0 percent of the vote and 58 seats, three short of the 61 needed to win.
Labour, under charismatic newcomer Jacinda Ardern, polled 35.8 percent to take 45 seats, although that rises to 52 if the seven seats of close ally the Greens are included.
It means both English and Ardern would need the nine seats held by Peters’s New Zealand First party to get over the line and reach the majority required to form a government.
While English and Ardern prepared to pitch their case to Peters, the NZF leader went fishing yesterday, saying the main party leaders may make decisions “but they won’t have the cards that matter”.
Peters made a number of “bottom line” demands during the campaign and said he would next consult his party members and officials “and then we’ll tell you what we’re prepared to do”.
English said steps were under way to arrange talks with Peters, but he would not say what was on or off the table.
Special votes, including postal votes and overseas votes, account for about 15 percent of the total and Ardern believed they would give her party a lift
“It’s hard to go too far without knowing that remaining 15 percent,” she said.
“At this time, parties are wanting a little extra time to consider their position and to consider the special votes. It’s making sure that everyone’s vote has been counted before we start forming a government.”
Labour campaign director Phil Twyford said Peters, known for his anti-immigration and protectionist policies, had more in common with his centre-left party than National.
“There’s much more policy alignment between New Zealand First and Labour. They’re committed to a much more hands-on approach to economic management.”