New Zealand’s Nov. 27 final election count will show whether Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s coalition keeps its narrow majority or must seek Opportunity Party votes to pass legislation.
Preliminary figures from the New Zealand Electoral Commission give the three-party coalition a two-seat majority. Overseas and other special votes make up one-seventh of the total and typically lean left, Reuters reported. If they erase the margin, Luxon would need Opportunity’s support to pass legislation.
Luxon said Tuesday that he met Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong on Monday evening. Luxon characterized the meeting as an initial conversation between the two leaders. Opportunity appears poised to enter Parliament for the first time, Reuters reported.
Luxon rejected a coalition with the party during the campaign; Reuters reported that his position shifted after preliminary results came in. Wong has said she would negotiate with the largest party and consider a formal coalition or a less formal support arrangement, Reuters reported. EconoTimes previously covered the party’s possible role in New Zealand’s coalition talks. The commission is due to release the final tally on Nov. 27.
