Global Courant
WELLINGTON – The leader of New Zealand’s National Party said Monday he is willing to work with the populist New Zealand First if numbers are needed to form a majority after the election.
New Zealand will elect a new government on October 14. The centre-right National Party is currently leading the polls, but is unlikely to govern without the support of at least one smaller party. Historically, she has joined forces with the right-wing ACT party.
Leader Christopher Luxon said in a video on social media that his preference was to form a strong and stable two-party coalition government between National and ACT.
However, he added that he would be willing to form a coalition with New Zealand First if it would bring his party to power.
Coalitions are the norm in New Zealand’s electoral system and only once since the system was introduced in 1996 has a party been able to govern alone.
Leader of New Zealand First Winston Peters is a one-time member of the National Party and his party has previously been a coalition partner in both Labor and National-led governments. REUTERS
