Clark poised to form third term NZ gov't

New Zealand Labor Party leader Helen Clark welcomed Saturday the official election results putting her at a stronger position to form a Labor-led Government.

Clark told media in a press release that she welcomed the confirmation of the election night results, and a final vote for Labor.

The final results, including more than 220,000 special votes, reduced the Parliament seats from 122 to 121, and National's previous 49 seats dropped to 48 with the final count by a mixed member proportional electoral system (MMP).

The reduction in size of Parliament is due to the Maori party picking up proportionately more party votes in the final count than it did on election night.

Under the provisional results the Maori party won four electorate seats but was only entitled to two MPs by the party vote measure.

New Zealand election was held on Sept. 17 and preliminary result without counting the special overseas votes have given the Labor 50 seats and the National 49. Other minor parties divided the rest 23 seats.

"As I said on election night, the result of voting appeared to give the Labor Party the opportunity to begin negotiations to form a new government," Clark said.

She said discussions have been occurring in the past two weeks with the aim of forming working relationships between Labor and other parties.

"I now look forward to engaging further with those parties that have expressed a willingness to discuss arrangements with us."

"Further talks to progress arrangements around forming a government are likely to be held in the coming week,"said Clark.

National leader Don Brash refused a defeat over the preliminary result and now he still has theoretical chances to form a government with enough support from other minor parties to obtain over 61 seats in Parliament.

But experts said Clark obviously seizes more chances to achieve a final win.

A new Parliament must resume no late than Nov. 18, prior to which a government should be formed. The current government continues in caretaker mode.

Clark said the appointment of a government takes place after the Governor-General is satisfied that a group of parties can command the confidence of the Parliament.

"The task now is for arrangements to be made which will ensure stable government in New Zealand for the next three years," said Clark.

Source: Xinhua