"A great global leader": Reactions pour in after Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand PM (VIDEO)
In an emotional announcement on Thursday, Jacinda Ardern said she plans to step down as prime minister of New Zealand.
Holding back tears, Ardern told reporters in a press conference that her last day would be February 7.
“I am entering now my sixth year in office, and for each of those years, I have given my absolute all,” she said.
“But I am not leaving because it was hard…I am leaving because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead, and also when you are not.”
“I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she added.
The news shocked not only New Zealand, but the world.
Ardern has served two terms as prime minister, and since then she’s become an iconic leader on the global stage, known for her compassionate and action-oriented handling of the country’s worst mass shooting, and her science and health-focused response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her admirers and critics both took to social media to share their reactions.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his well wishes in a tweet.
“The difference you have made is immeasurable,” tweeted Trudeau.
Thank you, @JacindaArdern, for your partnership and your friendship – and for your empathic, compassionate, strong, and steady leadership over these past several years. The difference you have made is immeasurable. I’m wishing you and your family nothing but the best, my friend. pic.twitter.com/72Q5p9GZzg
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 19, 2023
Even celebrities like P!nk chimed in.
“There will never be another like you. I wish there were,” she tweeted. “Thank you [for] showing the rest of the world what’s possible.”
Prime Minister @jacindaardern there will never be another like you.I wish there were. You have my admiration, my respect, my well wishes for you+your beautiful family. I have watched you shine uniquely+bravely from afar.Thank you 4showing the rest of the world what’s possible.
— P!nk (@Pink) January 19, 2023
Many from the Muslim community thanked Ardern for her empathetic and swift response to the mass shooting that occurred at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.
“What I’ll always remember is how PM Jacinda Ardern’s leadership lead to New Zealand banning assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic weapons in just SIX days,” tweeted researcher Ahmed Ali.
“No greater example of what going beyond thoughts and prayers looks like.”
What I’ll always remember is how PM Jacinda Ardern’s leadership lead to New Zealand banning assault rifles and military-style semi-automatic weapons in just SIX days after the Christchurch mosque attacks. No greater example of what going beyond thoughts and prayers looks like.
— Ahmed Ali (@MrAhmednurAli) January 19, 2023
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, resigns. Muslims globally will never forget her empathetic leadership after the Christchurch terror attacks pic.twitter.com/8qY0NoSDnC
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) January 19, 2023
One person even shared a sweet response from the prime minister to a letter their 8-year-old wrote telling Ardern it’s a good idea to ban dangerous guns.
“I agree that it’s a good idea to ban dangerous guns and I know that New Zealand will be a safer place because we have done that,” the letter reads.
“I can tell from your letter that you are a kind and compassionate girl, Lucy, and I would just like to encourage you to keep spreading that kindness throughout your life.”
After the mosque attacks, my then 8-year-old wrote to Jacinda Ardern, thanking her for being Prime Minister and saying she thought it was a good idea to ban the dangerous guns. Today seems like a good day to re-post the letter she got back a few days later. pic.twitter.com/MLijSv5FYd
— Rachel Prozac 💉💉💉 💉💉 (@rachelz) January 19, 2023
Others commended her for setting boundaries and knowing when to step back.
“Jacinda Ardern stepping down as NZ PM, setting boundaries for herself, and knowing when to step back is one of the biggest shows of genuine leadership I’ve seen in a while,” tweeted one person.
Jacinda Ardern stepping down as NZ PM, setting boundaries for herself, and knowing when to step back is one of the biggest shows of genuine leadership I’ve seen in a while.
— Dr Zoë Ayres (@ZJAyres) January 19, 2023
“It’s sad to see her go, though admirable a leader would depart when they no longer have energy to be effective (as opposed to gripping onto power),” added another.
I’ve deep respect for #JacindaArdern. She is a strong leader for New Zealand. It’s sad to see her go, though admirable a leader would depart when they no longer have energy to be effective (as opposed to gripping onto power). Her resignation, which cites kindness twice, says much pic.twitter.com/8EiNSg8p9b
— Scarin’ Sagers (@aaronsagers) January 19, 2023
There were many critics who were happy to see her go, claiming that she took rights away from unvaccinated citizens.
In honor of the Jacinda Ardern resigning yesterday, here’s a video of her bragging about creating a second class of citizens and taking away rights of the unvaxxed #NewZealand #jacindaadern
pic.twitter.com/VKYSV5RNbA— Aldo 🌞 (@AldoButtazzoni) January 19, 2023
Others stood up for the politician.
“To all the misogynists rejoicing in Jacinda Ardern resigning as PM, she will go down in history as a great global leader of this century and you will go down simply as the same embarrassing sexist pig,” said one Twitter user.
To all the misogynists rejoicing in Jacinda Ardern resigning as PM, she will go down in history as a great global leader of this century and you will go down simply as the same embarrassing sexist pig.
— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) January 19, 2023
What do you think about Ardern’s resignation?
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