The first woman picked to be New Zealand's prime minister will face a quick political challenge when the opposition Labor Party debates whether she is too conservative.
Jenny Shipley, a farmer's wife and former schoolteacher, won her conservative National Party's endorsement Tuesday, completing the downfall of Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who steps down at the end of the month.In a news conference, Shipley, 45, promised to bring a "fresh sense of purpose to the party, and I hope to the coalition and to the country."
Labor leader Helen Clark said Shipley is farther to the right than Bolger and must have her mandate to govern tested. The Labor Party was set Tuesday to debate whether Shipley is too far to the right to gain the confidence of Parliament.
"People will look at Mrs. Shipley's record and say that's worse" than Bolger's, Clark said.
"This latest reshuffle of deck chairs on the Titanic will do nothing to change the opinion of the public," she said.
Talks between Shipley and Bolger on Monday produced agreement for a smooth transition after Shipley offered Bolger, 62, the chance of a "gracious exit" or to face an ouster by a humiliating caucus vote.