No clear winner after tight New Zealand general election
New Zealand's election produced no clear winner, with Christopher Luxon's National Party the largest but short of a majority and Labour not conceding.
New Zealand's general election on Saturday produced no clear winner, with the leaders of the two major parties preparing for negotiations to form a coalition government, the BBC reported.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's centre-right National Party won 42 seats, making it the largest party but 19 short of the simple majority needed to govern, preliminary results showed. Together with its coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First, it would have a slim lead over the left-leaning bloc if a deal could be reached.
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins, whose Labour Party won 36 seats, did not concede. "The people have spoken," he said. "It may take a bit longer to work out what they've said." He added that the next parliament would require compromise.
More than 99% of votes have been counted, with National and Labour neck-and-neck in vote share. Their combined share of around 60% points to historically low support for the two major parties. The Opportunity Party crossed the 5% threshold to enter parliament for the first time and has been described as a possible kingmaker.
The campaign was shaped by the cost of living and unemployment. The electoral commission is due to announce the official result on 27 November.