Luxon survives another leadership vote in New Zealand

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, survived a confidence vote on Wednesday, August 12, prompted by a challenge from his own defense minister, Chris Penk, less than three months before the general election, and responded by stripping him of his portfolios.

The vote

The vote took place during a hastily convened, closed-door meeting of National Party lawmakers at Parliament in Wellington that ran for more than three hours. Luxon emerged to say he had “the full support of our caucus,” though he did not reveal the tally. “Our caucus is united and it is determined to win this election,” he said.

Penk out of the cabinet

Hours later, the prime minister confirmed the vote came after a leadership challenge from Penk and announced he had removed him from his ministerial portfolios. That night, a statement distributed by Luxon’s office said Penk will leave Parliament and will not seek re-election.

An election in sight

This was the second confidence vote on his leadership since April, following polling declines for the governing party. The new motion came after recent public remarks some in the party saw as gaffes, and leaves questions about party unity ahead of the November 7 election.

The key figure

2. The leadership votes Luxon has faced within his own party since April, with the same outcome each time: he survived, but the internal threat remains alive months before the ballot.