MELBOURNE (NEW ZEALAND) – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand said on Saturday the new government would be announced on Monday and the Green Party would be given two ministerial berths outside of cabinet as part of a proposed cooperation pact.
Earlier this month, she gave her centre-left Labour Party the biggest election victory in half a century. Despite the fact that she no longer needs any support to form the government, coalition is the norm in the country.
As per the agreement with the Green Party – one of Ardern government’s coalition partners before the election – the two portfolios would rest with the Green co-leaders.
While James Shaw would handle climate change and would be associate environment minister, Marama Davidson would become the minister for the prevention of family and sexual violence.
“On election night I said I wanted to govern for all New Zealanders and to reach as wide consensus on key issues as possible,” Ardern said in a televised address. “This agreement does that.”
She said in return for the two berths, the Greens would not oppose the government on confidence and supply votes and would extend support to Labour on procedural motions in the parliament.
The Green Party will be able to take independent decisions on issues not coming under the ministerial portfolios and areas of co-operation.
However, the deal could be rejected by the Green Party leadership who will vote on it on Saturday. Ardern said she would announce the composition of the government on Monday regardless of the Green Party’s decision.