15 July 2020 10:01 am
Wellington (dpa) 14 July - New Zealand’s opposition leader Todd Muller has resigned after just 53 days in the position, just months before the country heads to the polling booths in a general election.
Muller has been leader since he ousted Simon Bridges on May 22, following a week of poor polling for the right-wing opposition.
Muller said in a brief press release that he had taken time over the weekend to reflect on his position.
“It has become clear to me that I am not the best person to be leader of the opposition and leader of the New Zealand National Party at this critical time for New Zealand.”
The role had taken a “heavy toll” on himself and his family, and had become untenable from a health perspective, he said.
National Party MPs will meet Tuesday to decide who will take over the leadership.
New Zealand will hold its general election on September 19.