A deal between National, NZ First, and the Act Party is almost complete but the issue of who will serve as Deputy Prime Minister has not yet been resolved.
Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister-designate, told reporters on Wednesday talks would continue into the evening and Thursday, if necessary.
“Largely all the ministerial appointments and responsibilities have been determined, and I think we’ve got to a very good place,” he said.
“Within each of the three parties there is incredible talent. There is a real mixture of skills and experience, and as Prime Minister, I want to be able to use all of that talent.”
Nicola Willis, the deputy leader of the National Party, flew back to Wellington Wednesday morning, where she said she was not a candidate for the Deputy Prime Minister role.
This means the job will be going to either Winston Peters, David Seymour, or both. There is a possibility that each could serve for half the term, or even have two deputy-PMs at once.
Luxon said he saw the job as being “ceremonial” but both coalition partners seem to want it.
The Cabinet Manual says the Deputy-PM can take over the role and powers of Prime Minister “if necessary” when the PM is “unavailable or unable” to do so themselves.
They also answer questions during Parliamentary debates and would chair Cabinet meetings whenever the Prime Minister was absent, such as when traveling abroad.
Seymour said Deputy-PM should be given to the second-largest party, in this case the Act Party, but Peters has done the job before and is the more experienced candidate.
Once the final issues have been resolved, Luxon said the three parties’ boards will need to finalize the agreements and then they will travel back to Wellington for the announcement.
It is likely that the swearing in ceremony could happen next week, with Parliament sitting the following week and then up until Christmas. A mini-budget is expected before then.
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