Jacinda Ardern stepping down as New Zealand’s prime minister

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that she is stepping down from office by Feb. 7.

"I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election and my term as prime minister will conclude no later than the seventh of February," Ardern told her party’s annual meeting.

"I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice," she added.

Ardern said a general election will take place on Oct. 14.

She was elected prime minster in 2017.