New Zealand’s John Key re-elected in landslide

26/11/11 16:37 CET

world news

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John Key will remain New Zealand’s prime minister after a landslide election win.

But his centre-right National Party just failed to win the outright majority opinion polls had forecast.

The premier says he has already secured support from minor parties to shore up his impressive 48 per cent of the vote, with nearly all ballots counted.

Opposition leader Phil Goff conceded defeat after his Labour Party managed only 27 per cent.

As well as global economic turmoil, New Zealand’s government has had to deal with turbulence from February’s earthquake in Christchurch in which 181 people lost their lives to a deadly coal mine disaster.

Seen as a safe pair of hands in a crisis, Key has also enjoyed the boost of New Zealand hosting and winning this year’s Rugby World Cup.

More about: Earthquake, Economic crisis, Election results, Legislative election

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

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