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New Zealand: Adern still in with a chance to be PM
Labour leader remains positive despite falling short of majority

NEW ZEALAND’S Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern still remained hopeful that she could become prime minister yesterday after Saturday’s election stalemate which saw neither of the country’s two major parties gain enough seats to form a government.

Ms Ardern told reporters that she was feeling positive despite being beaten by the ruling National Party, which won the greatest number of seats — 58 — to her 45.

As both parties were short of the 61 needed to form a government in the 120-seat parliament, it is now down to the nationalist New Zealand First’s Winston Peters — who won nine seats — to decide the prime minister.

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