Luxon Seeks Emergency Meeting Amid Leadership Speculation
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called an urgent meeting of National Party lawmakers to address leadership speculation, just over two months before the country's general election.
The meeting is set for Wednesday in Wellington, where party members will discuss concerns about Luxon's leadership following a series of public missteps.
Last week, Luxon sparked controversy by suggesting he was open to a referendum on New Zealand's electoral system without first discussing the idea with his party colleagues.
Luxon has been under pressure since National Party's support weakened as the economic recovery struggled to gain momentum. Unemployment rose to 5.6% in the June quarter, its highest level in nearly 11 years, and annual inflation was 4.1%, above the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's target range.
Luxon survived a leadership confidence vote in April but his approval ratings have been declining. In a recent poll, he trailed Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins as preferred prime minister, with Luxon at 23.2% compared to 19.8% for Hipkins.