Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's prime minister, speaks to members of the media after an election night event at Auckland Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand, on 17 October 2020. Ardern swept to an emphatic victory in New Zealand's general election and said she would use her mandate to rebuild an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic and tackle social inequality. Getty Images/Bloomberg/Mark Coote
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 17 October 2020
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama congratulated Jacinda Ardern for her resounding re-election victory to lead New Zealand for three more years.
“I admire the courage, wisdom and leadership you have shown in these challenging times. I particularly applaud the way you have responded with calm, compassion and respect for others in the face of tragedy,” the Dalai Lama wrote in a letter to Ardern.
He wished Ardern every success in meeting whatever challenges may lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of New Zealand.
Jacinda Ardern won a second term as New Zealand’s Prime Minister with a landslide victory on Saturday, after her success in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
Her centre-left Labour Party won 64 of the 120 seats in the country’s unicameral parliament.
Ardern, 40, promised supporters she would build an economy that works for everyone, create jobs, train people, protect the environment, and address climate challenges and social inequalities.
A stringent lockdown strategy with a “go hard, go early” approach by the Prime Minister eliminated locally-spread COVID-19 in the nation, making New Zealand COVID-19-free and open for business. Life is back to normal in New Zealand, but its borders are still closed.
Here is some hope for humankind and our planet in this dark age we’re going through now! ☺️