Bill English poised to be Kiwi PM

Wellington, December 8 

New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English is set to be confirmed as the country’s next leader after both his competitors for the prime ministership dropped out of the race on Thursday.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Police Minister Judith Collins both conceded the race as it became clear that English had the support of the 59-member caucus.

English said the swift agreement within the ruling centre-right National Party on a new leader would help the government ensure a smooth transition following John Key’s surprise resignation earlier this week.

“It’s going to allow us as a government to re-set, look forward and provide New Zealand with good government after John Key,” English said in New Zealand’s distinctive “Beehive” Parliament building in the capital, Wellington.

English, who thirteen years ago oversaw a disastrous election loss for the National Party to the centre-left Labour Party, takes the reins of a country in good economic shape compared to much of the developed world. 

He will be formally named the PM at a caucus meeting on Monday. — Reuters