New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed her support for the country to become a republic and break ties with the British monarchy. Ardern made the comments during a recent interview with a local media outlet, where she stated that she favors the nation becoming a republic in the near future.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the issue of New Zealand becoming a republic has been a long-standing debate in the country, and it is time to settle the matter. She further stated that she believes the country has matured as a nation and is now ready to become a republic.
New Zealand is currently a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II serving as the head of state. The country gained independence from Britain in 1947, but the Queen still retains some powers, including the appointment of the Governor-General, who represents the British monarch in New Zealand.
Ardern’s comments have reignited the debate over whether New Zealand should become a republic. Proponents of the move argue that it would symbolize the country’s independence and sovereignty, while opponents believe that the monarchy provides a sense of stability and continuity in the country.
The issue of becoming a republic has been raised several times in the past, with a referendum on the issue being held in 1999. However, the referendum failed to garner enough support, with only around 30% of voters in favor of becoming a republic.
Despite this, Ardern remains optimistic about the prospect of New Zealand becoming a republic, stating that she believes it is a matter of when rather than if. She also highlighted that she wants the country to have a head of state who is a New Zealander and represents the values and aspirations of the country.
In conclusion, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed her support for the country to become a republic and break ties with the British monarchy. The issue has been a long-standing debate in the country, and Ardern believes that it is time to settle the matter. While the issue is still a contentious one, Ardern remains optimistic about the prospect of New Zealand becoming a republic in the near future.
