Ardern set to win in New Zealand's 'COVID election'
14 October, 2020
There were no masks on display as about 1,000 university students gave Jacinda Ardern a rock-star reception during her final Wellington campaign rally this week -- and the brand new Zealand prime minister was fine with that.
Ardern, also without a face covering, happily posed for selfies alongside dozens of youthful supporters, rubbing shoulders with a disregard for social distancing that could spark outrage almost anywhere else in the world.
Success containing COVID-19 means masks and distancing are no longer mandatory in New Zealand, an achievement after which Ardern has staked her political future in Saturday's general election.
"When persons ask, is this a COVID election, my answer is yes, it really is," the charismatic center-left leader said when launching her bid for another three-year term.
Indications up to now are that the strategy is working, with Ardern's Labour Party enjoying a solid lead in opinion polls after a campaign light on policy detail but filled with references to quashing the coronavirus.
"Who's better located to keep New Zealand safe and who's better positioned to get us on the right track to recovery?" the 40-year-old asked throughout a debate with Judith Collins, leader of the key opposition National Party.
New Zealand has recorded just 25 COVID-19 deaths in a population of five million and its own response has been singled out for praise by the World Health Organization.
Apart from closed borders and a pandemic-induced recession, everyday life on the South Pacific nation is near-normal, as unrestricted crowds flock to sports and bars without concern with infection.
The pandemic upended the election, that was initially poised as a cliffhanger, with some criticizing Ardern's policy shortcomings while some praised her leadership after last year's Christchurch mosques terrorist attack where 51 people died.
The students cheering in Wellington on Tuesday said the coronavirus crisis had reinforced their support for Ardern.
For history major David Coyle, it was enough to overcome disappointment with her failure to meet up promises on issues such as for example housing affordability and reducing child poverty.
"This year's about the COVID and she's done a fairly damn good job on that," he told AFP after Ardern's appearance at Wellington's Victoria University.
Geography student Alyssa Thomas said Ardern, an adept user of social media, had earned the right to mingle with supporters ahead of Saturday's polls.
"The majority of my friends follow her... I think she compares pretty much to (U.S. President) Donald Trump at the moment, a few of my friends are from America plus they like her," Thomas said.
As Ardern was being feted before adoring students, Collins was across town at a far more modest meeting in a little suburban community center attended by about 30 National Party faithful.
The combative 61-year-old, nicknamed "Crusher" for her hardline policies while police minister under a former government, has performed well in debates but up to now didn't generate campaign momentum.
She took over in July as the National Party's fourth leader since the last election but is polling at 31 percent, 16 points down on the conservative party's support when it last won an election in 2014.
Collins has attacked border failures that likely resulted in another wave of infections in Auckland in August and argues the National Party is most beneficial placed to steer New Zealand through its monetary crisis.
However, the Auckland spike has been eliminated and the nation's financial credibility was damaged when its proposed budget plan became out by at least NZ$4.0 billion (U.S.$2.7 billion).
"I never quit, I'm a fighter, continue to keep going and I'm utterly positive for our country, I've got a vision to market," Collins said.
About 3.4 million persons are registered to vote in the election, that was originally set for Sept 19 but delayed by the Auckland outbreak.
Labour currently holds power in coalition with the Greens and the brand new Zealand First party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who'll struggle to stay in parliament.
However, polls advise Labour has a potential for winning office with an outright majority, a predicament unprecedented since New Zealand adopted a German-style mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system in 1996.
Even if Ardern falls short, support from the Greens may likely get her over the line.
Voters may also cast ballots in two referendums, one on legalizing recreational cannabis and the other on legalizing euthanasia, although the results of these votes will never be known until Oct 30.
Source: japantoday.com
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