National Party leader John Key swept to power in New Zealand's election on Saturday, toppling a nine-year-old Labour government that was dogged by economic recession and political scandal. Prime Minister Helen Clark said she took responsibility for her government's defeat and she would step down from the party leadership she has held since 1993.
Key's National Party, tipped to win by all pre-election polls, campaigned on a message of change for the Pacific Ocean nation of 4.3 million people. It has promised to stimulate the economy as New Zealand and the world grapples with a financial crisis.
"New Zealanders have voted for a safer, more prosperous and more ambitious New Zealand," Key told jubilant supporters. The National Party looked unlikely to have gained an outright majority in parliament but is assured of assuming power due to the support of the small free-market ACT party. When final counts were received from all polling stations, National had 45 percent of the vote and Labour had 34 percent.
That would translate into 59 seats for National in a 122-seat parliament, up 48 seats from the previous parliament, compared to Labour's 43, a fall from 49. The ACT Party won 5 seats and the centrist United Future, which also offered support for National, took one. "I can confirm their willingness to lend support to establishing a new government in New Zealand," Key said.
In a surprise move, Clark said she would quit as Labour leader. "My job as leader of the Labour party is complete, I will be standing down and I will be expecting Labour colleagues to elect a new leader before Christmas," she told supporters.
Clark, who campaigned on her government's record and warned of National Party "secret agendas", fired a parting shot in her concession speech. Among the other parties, the environmentalist Greens, took 6.5 percent for 8 seats, and the Progressives retained their one seat. Both parties would have backed Labour.
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