WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Prime Minister John Key has won an emphatic victory in New Zealand’s general election to return for a third term in office.
Labour Party leader David Cunliffe said in a concession speech Saturday night that he called Key to congratulate him on his victory.
The result will be seen as an endorsement of the way Key’s National Party has handed the economy.
With most votes counted, Key’s party had 48 per cent of the vote. The Labour Party, its closest rival, had just 25 per cent.
The result showed a swing to conservative parties, with liberal parties Labour and the Green Party losing ground.
Under New Zealand’s proportional voting system, parties typically must form coalitions to govern for the three-year terms. Key has several options for coalition partners.
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