‘Tyrant or compassionate leader?’: Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation as NZ PM divides internet

DISCLAIMER: This is a compilation of tweets being shared by netizens around the world. Times of India neither condones nor endorses any of the views shared in this article here.

New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern has announced her shock resignation just months before she was expected to run for a third term in office, saying she no longer has the energy or inspiration to continue as the country’s Prime Minister.


Ardern promised "relentless positivity" as New Zealand's prime minister, but in announcing her shock resignation on Thursday admitted the unrelenting demands of the job had finally worn her down.


Ardern, holding back tears, said that it had been a tough five and a half years as prime minister and that she was only human and needed to step aside.


Ardern had put tiny New Zealand on the map in her five years as prime minister, becoming a global icon for left-leaning politics and women in leadership, even as she struggled at home with the economy and COVID-19 restrictions.


Ardern's popularity waned as she battled declining trust in government, a deteriorating economic situation, and a resurgent conservative opposition.

Two years after winning her second term, a small but vocal segment of New Zealand's population turned against Ardern's handling of the pandemic.


Her ratings have dropped in recent months on a worsening housing crisis, rising living costs and mortgage rates, and growing concerns about crime. She remains, however, more popular than her rivals.

Social media users across the world were divided over Ardern’s resignation. While some celebrated it, others felt she should have carried on.







‘Good riddance’



‘Inspiration for women and girls’


‘Jokers wished she replaced Modi’




‘New Zealand much better off without her’


‘Useful fool discarded or criminal distancing herself’


‘Showed compassion towards Muslims’


‘Big blow to Indian cheerleaders of Ardern’


‘She led where it mattered’


‘She led world’s most draconian Covid lockdown’



‘There’ll be no one like her’


‘Justin Trudeau will be next’