Against all odds, New Zealand’s prime minister has bowed out, tired after five years in power. Analysis by political communication expert Florian Silnicki.
No one expected that. New Zealand’s beloved Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is stepping down after five years in office. Tired and tired, he assured that there was no secret reason behind his resignation. “I am a human being. We give as much as we can while we can and then it’s time. And for me that moment has come,” the leader said at a meeting of his Labor Party this Thursday. A rare word that parses Madame Figaro Florian Silnicki, political communication expert and founder of LaFrenchCom.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announces her resignation in the video “I gave everything”.
Madame Figaro.- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern surprised everyone when she announced her resignation. How is this a strong gesture?
Florian Silnicki. Jacinda Ardern tells us something very strong when she declares that she has “no more energy” to go on. Basically, it reveals something that is rarely talked about. One can think that his decision is connected with a complex context. However, today it is in a position of strength. He speaks his words while being very popular in his country and the world. So, inevitably, this announcement is surprising. We tend to see politicians who are ready to stand by their appointments at any cost… There we have the opposite picture. Jacinda Ardern wants to keep her family, her sanity and her politics. He is making a healthy choice here. And that’s rare.
What does this reveal?
That Jacinda Ardern is brave and not afraid to speak her mind, share her truth. In my opinion, his words will mark the international political history. It reminds me of this intervention by Christine Lagarde in 2007, who declared: “I did not think that the function of the Minister of Economy would be so time-consuming.” Because the reality of political commitment is hard. there are many sacrifices to zero recognition, especially in terms of privacy. Jacinda Ardern has faced it herself. Moreover, she has had to face dehumanizing violence and attacks on women that have never stopped in the last five years. He endured, but today he admits it. he no longer has the strength and energy and prefers to give up.
It reflects the concerns of each of us. the employment relationship has changed and must change, including in politics
Florian Silnicki
To your knowledge, this is the first.
Yes, and there will undoubtedly be Ardern case law. It is a pause in modern political history. Today, Jacinda Ardern is the only one, the first and the pioneer. It reflects the concerns of each of us. the employment relationship has changed and must change, including in politics. We see it very well: both the ministers and elected officials are worn out. It can be seen and heard and it is not good because it damages the political world. Jacinda Ardern no longer wants to wear herself out. And his voice will certainly be extremely useful. it will free those who have not dared so far. She can only be a source of inspiration, embodying the image of a strong woman who knew how to renew political commitment and return politics to its rightful place.
Women leaders who go through crises are stronger than men
Florian Silnicki
Could a man stoop like this? Daring to assume the share of vulnerability.
I do not know ; It is certain that courage is needed to assume this political position towards the party and compatriots. Jacinda Ardern, she does it bluntly, and this shows a phenomenon. women politicians, being considered vulnerable, turn it into a resource, a lever, a power. They have generally had to fight harder than men to get where they are, and therefore are often more effective as leaders in politics and in their private lives. I see this with my clients in crisis management. Women leaders who go through crises are stronger than men to manage them because they don’t put ego as a strategic priority.
We saw this in October 2022 with the resignation of Liz Truss. sexist comments immediately erupted. Should we fear that some will attack Jacinda Ardern on the pretext that a woman will eventually lack the shoulders to govern?
It would be discrediting himself to attack a woman who speaks the truth without jargon, without lies. Many men would do well, on the contrary, to be inspired by her gesture. Here we are with a tenor of politics, at the peak of his power, who prefers to give way to better serve the political struggle. We have never seen that in France.
Jacinda Ardern has tried to shift the lines over the last five years, having a child during her term, taking her child to the UN… thus developing the image of a woman and a modern leader. Was the bet successful?
Some of his critics saw these as acts of communication. But to me, these attacks are the result of a sexist perception of women who don’t have the shoulders to shoulder the political charge. On the contrary, Jacinda Ardern embodied a new commitment and, above all, a more human understanding of politics.
In the video: “It’s a shock”. New Zealanders are surprised by the resignation of their prime minister.
Source: Le Figaro
