New Zealand PM Luxon survives vote of confidence

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday said he received the support of National Party lawmakers after calling a confidence vote on his leadership, following days of speculation that some within the party were seeking to replace him.



"I moved a formal motion of confidence in my leadership and that motion was passed," Luxon said in a prepared statement that he read after a party room meeting. "I have the support of my caucus as their leader. Caucus has answered clearly and decisively and has backed my leadership and that matter is now closed."



After reading the statement, Luxon left the room and refused to answer questions. No details were given on whether the vote in support was unanimous or the size of the majority.



Luxon leads the National Party, the biggest party in New Zealand's three-party ruling coalition, and serves as prime minister. If his party were to replace him as leader, he would also lose the premiership. Confidence votes are rarely aired publicly in New Zealand, where party caucus deliberations are usually secret.

In addition, while parties choosing to replace their prime minister are not uncommon in some countries, it has not happened in New Zealand since 1997.