Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survives a confidence vote within his National Party caucus, quelling speculation over his leadership ahead of the November general election.
WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has survived a leadership confidence vote within his National Party caucus, quelling speculation over his future ahead of the November general election.
The centre-right leader called the vote himself as his government languishes in opinion polls, with the party dipping below 30% and his personal approval rating plummeting.
Luxon stated that he moved a formal motion of confidence in his leadership during a nearly three-hour meeting, which was passed, confirming his support from the caucus.
He claimed to have the unanimous support of his MPs, although the final vote count was kept secret and even he was not informed of the exact margin.
Only party members physically present at the caucus meeting were permitted to vote, with several members unable to attend due to bad weather that cancelled flights into Wellington.
Media reports last week suggested several caucus members were unhappy with his leadership, with some lawmakers unlikely to return to parliament based on current polling.
Luxon dismissed the speculation about his future as a “media soap opera”, stating he would not engage with rumours.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop, rumoured to have considered a leadership challenge late last year, said he voted for Luxon after a “good, honest, robust” discussion.
Finance Minister and deputy National leader Nicola Willis said the “caucus sent an emphatic message”, while admitting she also did not know the final vote count.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters, leader of the populist New Zealand First party, dismissed the entire confidence vote as “egotistical rubbish”.
