By Gurbir Singh, Hamilton (New Zealand):
New Zealand’s ruling National Party led by Prime Minister, Bill English, has won the largest number of votes in the country’s 2017 general election yesterday(Saturday), securing a comfortable margin over the Labour Party in the most hotly contested race in country’s history.
National won 46 percent of the votes (58 seats), while support for Labour was 35.8 percent (45 seats). Overseas and Special votes are yet to be counted and final tally will be known on Oct. 7.
As no major party has reached the magical 61 seats number to govern in the 120-seat parliament, it could be weeks before the next government of New Zealand is decided.
Both parties would now be scrambling to form coalitions with the minor parties – New Zealand First Party (7.5% of votes, 9 seats) and Green Party (7 seats), in order to achieve required numbers.
Prime Minister Bill English is ready to form the fourth consecutive term government of National, but needs New Zealand First's nine seats to do so.
On the other hand, charismatic 37-year old Jacinda Ardern who took over Labour party’s leadership in August, is very much in the race with National to form a government and banking on the support of minor parties, New Zealand First Party and the Green Party.
The balance of power now rests mainly with the 72-year-old unpredictable leader of New Zealand First Party, Winston Peters who has emerged as the ‘King or Queen maker’. Peter himself, however, has lost his own seat of Northland.
It is not the first time that Winston Peters has emerged in this powerful position. He has previously worked with both major parties, entering into a coalition with National after the 1996 election and served as deputy prime minister. In 2005, he came to an agreement with Labour, and was appointed foreign minister.
Peters is a controversial figure in New Zealand politics. At one time he wanted to close borders to “Asian invasion” and wants to crackdown on immigrants.
He is set to consult with his party's executive and nine MPs before the negotiations with Labour and National.
Speaking to reporters on election night, Peters said “I believe we hold the balance of responsibility and we are not going to be hasty with that and we are not going to rush out and make a decision tonight.”
Next few days are crucial when both party leaders, Bill English and Jacinda Arden hold discussions and try to woo Peters who holds the ultimate power to make or break any party’s ambitions to govern.
--Gurbir Singh is a New Zealand-based Freelance Feature Writer & Journalist.
He can be reached at: gurbir@journalist.com and you can like his Facebook page NewsViews