Editor TLN
23 Jan. () –
The future prime minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, has appealed in his first speech as head of government to his disgruntled compatriots to make them see that he will focus above all on those with “low and middle income”, while not ruling out reducing programs and projects that are not “essential.”
“I will lead a team focused on solving the big problems that many families and companies face,” Hipkins said at a press conference held on Sunday in Wellington after the Labor Party’s support for her to succeed Jacinda Ardern, the agency reports. Bloomberg.
“We will focus on the present and on the basic issues that people are concerned about. I know that people are worried about paying the purchase bill and the mortgage. I want them to know that we are on their side,” Hipkins said.
“I know that some people think that we are doing a lot of things too quickly, and I have heard that message,” explained Hipkins, who at another point in the press conference pointed out that next week they will make decisions about reducing some programs and projects that are not “essential” right now.
Labour, which trails the main opposition National Party in opinion polls, moved quickly to rally around Hipkins and ensure a smooth leadership transition following Ardern’s shock resignation last week. .
The initiatives he can refer to are the merger of state broadcasters TVNZ and Radio New Zealand, as well as water infrastructure reforms, both of which have become lightning rods for voter discontent.
The Labor Party trails behind the main opposition force, the National Party, in the polls. Hipkins has a major battle ahead of him to convince New Zealanders to revalidate his mandate for a third time, given the difficult economic forecasts.
