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New Zealand opposition wins vote New Zealand opposition wins vote
(2 days later)
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has admitted defeat in a general election and says she will step down as leader of the Labour Party. New Zealand's opposition National Party has swept to power, ending PM Helen Clark's nine-year Labour government.
John Key's centre-right opposition National Party won 45% of the vote, against 34% for Labour, according to preliminary results. Ms Clark admitted defeat and said she would step down as leader.
Election officials say this will give National and its two smaller allies enough seats to form a majority. National leader John Key said the people had voted for a safer, more prosperous and ambitious New Zealand, but warned of tough times ahead.
National's win ends nine years in power for Mrs Clark and Labour. Correspondents say Ms Clark has presided over years of strong growth and social reforms, but the economy has gone into recession this year.
National said it would govern with the United Future and ACT parties, and would also look for support from the Maori Party. The centre-right opposition won 45% of the vote, against 34% for Labour, leaving it just short of an overall majority.
According to official figures, National is set to win 59 seats, Labour 43 and their allies the Greens, with 6% of the vote, eight, in the 120-seat parliament. It will be able to govern with the help of two smaller parties - the United Future and ACT parties - and will also look for support to the Maori Party.
I will be standing down and I will be expecting my Labour Party colleagues to elect a new leader before Christmas Helen Clark class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7717430.stm">Profile: John Key Mr Key told the BBC he hoped his government would be inclusive.
Mr Key said "hundreds and thousands" of people across the country had "voted for change". "I want to run a centre-right government, a pragmatic and decisive government, but certainly one that reflects the views of all New Zealanders," he said.
"Today, New Zealanders have voted for action, for a safer, more prosperous and more ambitious New Zealand," he was quoted by AFP as saying. 'Vote for change'
Mrs Clark said she accepted responsibility for the result and her job as leader of the Labour Party was complete. About three million people were registered to vote - a record number for the country - though the estimated turnout, at 78.69%, was slightly down on the previous election in 2005.
We must make the most of our advantages because the state of the global economy and the global financial crisis means that the road ahead may well be a rocky one John Key Profile: John Key
According to official figures, National is set to win 59 seats, Labour 43 and their allies the Greens, with 6% of the vote, eight, in the 122-seat parliament.
Mr Key told supporters that hundreds and thousands of people across the country had "voted for change".
"Today, New Zealanders have voted for action, for a safer, more prosperous and more ambitious New Zealand," he said.
But he warned of difficult times.
"We must make the most of our advantages because the state of the global economy and the global financial crisis means that the road ahead may well be a rocky one," he said.
Ms Clark said she accepted responsibility for the result and her job as leader of the Labour Party was complete.
"I will be standing down and I will be expecting my Labour Party colleagues to elect a new leader before Christmas," she told reporters."I will be standing down and I will be expecting my Labour Party colleagues to elect a new leader before Christmas," she told reporters.
The country's economic recession loomed large in the campaign. But few major policy shifts are expected once the new government takes over, analysts say. Though the recession loomed large in the campaign, few major policy shifts are expected once the new government takes over, analysts say.
Both Labour and National had promised tax cuts and extra spending, amid fears that the global credit crisis will hit New Zealand hard.Both Labour and National had promised tax cuts and extra spending, amid fears that the global credit crisis will hit New Zealand hard.
About three million people were registered to vote - a record number for the country - and early reports suggested turnout was high.
Maori interestsMaori interests
Since the country introduced proportional voting in 1996, neither of the big parties has won an outright majority and they have always relied on the support of minor parties.Since the country introduced proportional voting in 1996, neither of the big parties has won an outright majority and they have always relied on the support of minor parties.
Helen Clark is one of the world's longest-serving elected female leaders Clark: 'I accept responsibility for the result'
While National can look to allies in the centre and on the right, it may have to seek the backing of the Maori Party, which is expected to retain its four seats in the 120-seat parliament. The new government will seek the backing of the Maori Party, formed before the 2005 election to give an authentic voice to indigenous people.
However, Mr Key said his party was "diametrically opposed" to some of its policies, and Maori leader Tariana Turia said there would be hard bargaining involved in any deal.
Among Maori demands are the repeal of a law preventing Maoris from claiming rights to the foreshore and seabed, and greater control over government spending on indigenous programmes to prevent waste.Among Maori demands are the repeal of a law preventing Maoris from claiming rights to the foreshore and seabed, and greater control over government spending on indigenous programmes to prevent waste.
"We'll decide totally based on... what we are able to advance for our people," said Maori Party leader Tariana Turia.
Any deal, she added, would "come at a cost".
Mr Key has said he will be willing to strike a deal with the Maori Party, even though he said his party "diametrically opposed" some of its policies.
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