NZ PM calls urgent meeting to address 'increased' leadership speculation
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he has called the in-person meeting of the National Party caucus amid calls from some quarters for a leadership change less than three months before an election.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon convened an urgent in-person meeting with the National Party caucus due to heightened speculation surrounding his leadership position. This decision came less than three months before the country's upcoming general election. Luxon acknowledged the speculation, stating in a recent post on X that there is increased discussion about his leadership. The National Party caucus is scheduled to convene at 9:30 am (07:30 AEST) on Wednesday in Wellington to address this matter.
Luxon's leadership has been under scrutiny following a series of public missteps. Notably, he recently expressed openness to a referendum on the nation's electoral system without first consulting party colleagues during a live radio interview. Moreover, Luxon apologized after telling a Rotorua Business Chamber breakfast audience that businesses should "be adult" and rely less on government assistance.
With a history dating back to late 2023, Luxon has been leading a coalition government comprising the National Party, New Zealand First, and ACT following the 2023 election. However, his party's support has faltered as the economic recovery has faltered. Unemployment surged to 5.6% in the June quarter, the highest rate in nearly 11 years, while annual inflation topped 4.1%, surpassing the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's target range of one to three percent.
Most opinion polls indicate National lagging behind the center-left Labour Party, though New Zealand's proportional representation system makes the November 7 general election outcome uncertain. The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll shows Luxon at 23.2% as the preferred prime minister, while Labour leader Chris Hipkins receives 19.8% support. Luxon narrowly survived a leadership confidence vote in April, which was held privately, with the party refraining from disclosing the result.
If National were to elect a new leader, Luxon would relinquish both his leadership role and his position as prime minister. Since 1997, no governing party in New Zealand has replaced a sitting prime minister between elections. Local media have identified National MPs Chris Bishop and Erica Stanford as potential successors to Luxon.
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