New Zealand's opposition leader re-elected after big gains

The Star On Line ^ | 9/10/05 | AP

[Redmen4ever]

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - The man who led New Zealand's opposition National Party to big gains in last weekend's inconclusive elections was re-elected as party chief Tuesday and said he intends to remain in the post even if the rival Labour Party forms the next government.

[Redmen4ever]

It appears that Labor will attempt to form a coalition government from: Progressives, Greens, Maori and possibly also United. I believe Labor can govern with the first three, and exactly 61 seats in the 122 seat parliament, based on the fact that it (Labor) is the largest single party. I think being the largest single party is the first tie-breaker in parliamentary governments.

It looks as though the leaders of both NZ First and ACT are advocating that National make concessions to Maori, so as to possibly form a ruling coalition from among National, NZ First, ACT, Maori and possibly also United. (Moari, with 4 seats, is crucial; and United, with only 2 seats, is superfluous.) National, for example, wants to eliminate the special districts organized for Maori people.

As to the main point of the article, Don Brash has indeed done a wonderful job leading National into this election. In spite of a booming economy, National achieved a near tie with Labor, and a distinct possibility of organizing a ruling coalition. How did National accomplish this? Mostly, by taking the initiative in advocating economic reform. This coalesced center-right support and appealed to reform-oriented voters in the middle.

In my reading of the tea-leaves, Mr. Brash seems inclined to remain in opposition rather than make too many concessions to Maori (and, besides, he might think bringing Maori into a National-led coalition is wishful thinking). Then, in three years, National may be able to achieve a clear mandate.