New Zealand swears in new Deputy Prime Minister
David Seymour, leader of the libertarian ACT New Zealand party, was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister on Saturday (May 31, 2025), taking the role from Winston Peters in a deal struck when the three-party coalition government was formed in 2023.
His party was behind last year's controversial move to enshrine a narrower interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi that it says discriminates against non-Indigenous citizens, though the bill failed in parliament.
Mr. Seymour was appointed in a ceremony at Auckland's Government House, a spokesperson told Reuters.
ACT New Zealand is the junior partner in the centre-right ruling coalition that also includes the Peters-led New Zealand First and the National Party, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
In parliament since 2014, Mr. Seymour will retain the role of regulation minister, tasked to assess rules in the Pacific nation of 5.3 million and keep the position of associate Minister of Health, Finance, and Education.
Mr. Seymour has also driven efforts to legalise euthanasia, voted to legalise abortion in 2020 and attended a pro-Hong Kong democracy protest in Auckland in 2019.
ACT New Zealand wants a smaller role for government and a bigger role for free markets, it says on its website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
9 minutes ago
- Mint
Ukrainian drones strike 40 Russian aircrafts, Orlena air base hit – What we know so far
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the SBU – Ukraine's domestic security agency – attacked over 40 Russian military aircraft on Sunday with drones, reported Reuters quoting an sources. According to the details, the struck aircraft included Tu-95 and Tu-22 strategic bombers, which Russia uses to fire long-range missiles at Ukraine. Confirming the attack, the Russian governor of the Irkutsk region said that Ukrainian remote-piloted aircraft attacked a military unit in the village of Sridni which is first such attack in Siberia. RT also shared a video of a drone attacking a military unit in Russia's Irkutsk region. As per the RT, the army and civilian responders have already mobilised to tackle the threat, while the drone launch has been blocked.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22 minutes ago
- First Post
Poland at polls in tight presidential election: What's at stake in vote between pro-EU, nationalist visions?
A victory for Rafal Trzaskowski, 53 of the centrist Civic Platform party would deepen Poland's integration with EU, ease the near total abortion ban and bolster LGBTQ+ rights. In contrast, Karol Nawrocki, 42, is a nationalist who appeals to traditional, Catholic voters. His focus is on stricter curbs on immigration read more This combination of photos shows Rafal Trzaskowski, left, in Warsaw, and Karol Nawrocki, right, in Warsaw, Poland. File image/ AP Voters in Poland went to the polls on Sunday (June 1) in a high-stakes presidential election that pits two sharply contrasting visions for the country's future- one rooted in pro-European Union liberalism, the other in nationalist conservatism. The outcome could significantly influence Poland's stance within the EU, its domestic social policies, and its position on the war in Ukraine. With polls showing a dead heat between Rafal Trzaskowski, the pro-EU mayor of Warsaw and ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing historian backed by the conservative opposition, the election is being watched closely both at home and abroad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rafal Trzaskowski, 53, represents the centrist Civic Platform party and has campaigned on a progressive, pro-European platform. A victory for him would bolster the reformist agenda of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government and open the door to significant changes such as: Legalising civil partnerships for same-sex couples Easing the near-total abortion ban Deepening Poland's integration within the EU Trzaskowski is seen by supporters as internationally respected, liberal-minded, and committed to restoring democratic norms. 'He's educated, speaks many languages, is intelligent, just all round great,' said Agnieszka Lewinska, a 56-year-old voter near Warsaw. In contrast, Karol Nawrocki, 42, is a nationalist who appeals to traditional, Catholic voters and has the backing of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which ruled Poland from 2015 to 2023. His platform emphasises: National sovereignty over EU integration Stricter curbs on immigration and refugee benefits Reinforcing Catholic values and conservative policies Supporters like Lila Chojecka, a 60-year-old pensioner in Warsaw, say Nawrocki represents 'hope for Poland' and a return to 'Catholic values.' Why does this election matter beyond Poland? The result will have significant implications for the European Union, NATO, and Ukraine. Poland is a key EU member and one of NATO's most active supporters of Ukraine. Trzaskowski supports continued military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv and aligns closely with Brussels on foreign and security policy. Nawrocki, however, has voiced skepticism about expanding NATO to include Ukraine and opposes offering long-term social benefits to the more than one million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. In his final campaign appearance, he visited a memorial for Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II, calling it 'a genocide against the Polish people.' For Ukraine, the result may shape Poland's future support as the war with Russia drags on and Kyiv seeks greater diplomatic backing. Domestically, the Polish presidency holds the power to veto legislation and command the armed forces, making it a key check, or enabler, of the ruling government's agenda. With 336 electoral districts and nearly 38 million people, Poland's presidential race is expected to be decided by narrow margins. The far-right, which earned over 21 per cent in the first round, could swing the final result, especially if its voters rally behind Nawrocki. Trzaskowski edged ahead in the first round with 31 per cent of the vote, just one point above Nawrocki's 30 per cent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Exit polls are expected shortly after voting ends at 9:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), with final results due by Monday. The election, described by political analyst Anna Materska-Sosnowska as a 'real clash of civilisations,' will set the course for Poland's political and social identity for years to come.
Hindustan Times
33 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Andhra Pradesh govt reverts to fair price shop format to supply ration, Jagan hits back
Pithapuram , The TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday reverted to the old format of supplying rations through fair price shops and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed the administration for the move. Recently, the N Chandrababu Naidu-led government scrapped doorstep delivery of rations through Mobile Delivery Units introduced by the erstwhile YSRCP regime. "Beneficiaries can now collect rations from any fair price shop, not just the registered dealer. Home delivery is arranged for over 15 lakh senior citizens and differently-abled persons," said Civil Supplies Minister N Manohar in an official release. The initiative covers over 1 crore families statewide, allowing ration collection from any nearby fair price shop, "improving convenience and accessibility for beneficiaries across the state". The minister alleged that the previous government misused nearly ₹17,000 crore of public funds under the name of home ration delivery. Manohar asserted that about ₹385 crore worth of public funds will be saved through distribution through ration shops, with dealers being monitored using technology and a dedicated app for transparency. Rejecting the allegations, YSRCP chief Reddy, in a post on 'X', said: "Naidu has been showing a vindictive attitude towards the operators of MDU who were delivering the ration at the doorstep of the poor." He noted that before YSRCP's tenure, people allegedly suffered discrimination, poor quality rations, and had to forgo wages while waiting in queues at public distribution shops. The former chief minister further said that during his Padayatra in 2017-19, people shared their hardship in getting ration. The YSRCP government launched door delivery of quality rice to ensure transparency and eliminate longstanding malpractices across villages, he said. Scrapping MDUs has worsened public woes, risking the livelihoods of 20,000 families , he claimed. Reddy said that the MDU system helped even during calamities, and halting it would reopen the gates for malpractice and ration-related irregularities among the needy. The YSRCP chief also alleged that Naidu promised to give increments to around 33,000 Village and Ward Secretariat staff from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, but failed. According to the government, ration shops will operate from 8 AM to Noon and 4 PM to 8 PM, including Sundays, ensuring continuous supply and easing public access to essential goods.
