New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern has apologized for calling a political rival in Parliament an “arrogant p*****” as the prime minister faces dwindling public support.
Amid a lively parliamentary debate, Ms Ardern objected when the leader of an opposition party asked her to give an example of a mistake, apologized and rectified the matter.
The Prime Minister gave an impassioned and lengthy reply, then, as she sat down, murmured “such an arrogant p****” that was picked by the microphones in Parliament.
David Seymour, leader of New Zealand’s ACT party, contradicted the remark thrown his way and urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives to retract it.
Ms Ardern’s office later said she had apologized.
The 42-year-old was Prime Minister for five years and has gained worldwide recognition for her crisis management and down-to-earth politics.
She was one of the first prime ministers to give birth during her tenure and enjoyed sky-high approval ratings during most of her two terms.
But with New Zealand set to go to the polls in late 2023 and the cost of living soaring, it is under mounting political pressure.
Support for his Labor Party appears to be waning as the latest opinion polls show it lags five percentage points behind the opposition National.
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