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Resignation of Jacinda Ardern: "Her words will mark international political history"

2023-01-19T14:41:40.003Z


Against all odds, the New Zealand Prime Minister bowed out, tired after five years in power. Analysis by Florian Silnicki, expert in political communication.


Nobody expected it.

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's beloved prime minister, is stepping down after five years in office.

Weary and tired, she assured that there was no secret reason behind her resignation.

“I am human.

We give as much as we can for as long as we can, and then it's time.

And for me, that moment has arrived,” said the leader this Thursday during a meeting of her Labor Party.

A rare word that analyzes for

Madame Figaro

Florian Silnicki, expert in political communication and founder of LaFrenchCom.

Madame Figaro

.- The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern took everyone by surprise by announcing her resignation.

How is this a strong gesture?


Florian Silnicki.-

Jacinda Ardern tells us something very strong by declaring “no more energy” to continue.

Basically, it reveals something about which we speak too little: the weight of political commitment, and the sacrifices of which no one really measures the extent.

One might think that his decision is linked to a difficult context.

However, today, it is in a position of strength.

She speaks her words while she enjoys a very good popularity rating in her country and in the world.

So inevitably, this statement is surprising.

We tend to see politicians, ready to hang on to their appointments at all costs… There, we have the illustration of the opposite.

Jacinda Ardern wants to preserve her family, her sanity and politics.

She is making a healthy choice here.

And it's rare.

In video, 'I gave it my all': New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announces her resignation

What does this reveal?


That Jacinda Ardern is brave and not afraid to speak her mind, to share her truth.

In my opinion, his words will mark international political history.

It reminds me of this intervention by Christine Lagarde in 2007 who declared: “I did not think that the function of Minister of the Economy would be so time-consuming.”

Because the reality of political commitment is hard: there are a lot of sacrifices, especially in terms of privacy, for zero recognition.

Jacinda Ardern, herself, has been confronted with it.

What's more, she has had to face dehumanizing violence and misogynistic attacks that have never stopped for the past five years.

She held on but today she admits it: she no longer has the strength and

It reflects the concerns of each of us: the relationship to work has changed and must change, including in politics

Florian Silnicki

To your knowledge, is this a first?


Yes and unquestionably, there will be an Ardern case law.

It is a break in modern political history.

Jacinda Ardern is today the only one, the first and the pioneer.

It reflects the concerns of each of us: the relationship to work has changed and must change, including in politics.

We can see it very well: both ministers and elected officials are worn out.

It can be seen, it can be heard and it is not good because it damages the political world.

Jacinda Ardern doesn't want to wear herself out anymore.

And his voice will, for sure, 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 bring politics back to its rightful place.

Women leaders who go through crises are stronger than men

Florian Silnicki

Could a man have bowed out like this?

By daring to assume a share of vulnerability?


I do not know ;

what is certain is that it takes courage to assume this political position vis-à-vis one's party, one's compatriots.

Jacinda Ardern, she does it bluntly and this illustrates a phenomenon: by dint of being considered vulnerable, women politicians make it a resource, a lever, a force.

They have generally had to fight harder than men to get where they are, and are therefore often more effective as leaders in politics and in private.

I see it with my clients in crisis management.

Women leaders who go through crises are stronger than men to manage them because they do not put the ego as a strategic priority.

We saw it with the resignation of Liz Truss in October 2022: immediately, sexist comments flared up.

Should we fear that some will attack Jacinda Ardern on the pretext that a woman would ultimately not have the shoulders to govern?


It would be discrediting oneself to attack a woman who speaks the truth without jargon, without lies.

Many men would do well to be inspired by his gesture on the contrary.

Here, we are faced with a tenor of politics, at the height of his power, who prefers to give way to better serve the political fight.

In France, we have never seen that.

Jacinda Ardern has, over the past five years, tried to move the lines: having a child during her mandate, taking her baby to the UN... Thus cultivating the image of a woman and a modern leader.

Was the bet successful?


Some of his detractors saw it as communication operations.

But for me, these attacks are the result of a sexist conception of women who do not have the shoulders to take on the political charge.

Conversely, Jacinda Ardern embodied a new commitment and above all a more human conception of politics.

In video, "It's a shock": New Zealanders surprised by the resignation of their Prime Minister

Source: lefigaro

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