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Elections will take place in New Zealand soon: the general election is expected to take place here on October 17th and it will be decided whether Jacinda Ardern will remain in office as Prime Minister.
As in the USA, there are also TV duels here, but the candidates answer the reporter's questions surprisingly honestly and directly.
Moderator
"
Jacinda Ardern, have you ever used cannabis
?"
Jacinda Ardern / Prime Minister New Zealand
"
Yes, I did. That was a long time ago."
Overall, the New Zealand TV debate is much more civilized than with its political colleagues in distant Washington.
Here the opponents kept interrupting each other, attacking each other verbally and mobbing little statesmanlike.
Chris Wallace / TV presenter at Fox News
"Mr. President, your campaign team has agreed to give both sides two minutes
to get answers - without interruption.
Why don't you take what your team has accepted as a foundation?
Okay sir? "
The candidates in New Zealand were also asked about Donald Trump, whether they consider him dangerous.
They answered briefly and diplomatically.
Jacinda Ardern / Prime Minister New Zealand
"I stand up for the interests of New Zealand. And if democracy decides that Donald Trump stays in office, then he is the one we will work with."
The conservative opposition leader, Judith Collins, also has an opinion on the incumbent US president:
"
Is it dangerous
?"
"
You asked the same question in the last election
."
"
Yes, we still have the same problem.
"
"
I agree with Mrs. Ardern. You cannot choose the foreign statesmen
."
Incidentally, US President Trump does not speak well of Jacinda Ardern.
Your good crisis management at the beginning of the pandemic was directed against him personally, Trump had indicated at an election campaign event.
According to the US President, Ardern's government fought Corona so hard because it wanted to show him.
