WELLINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) – A newly released poll showed support has fallen further for New Zealand’s ruling National Party and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as he continues to face questions over whether he can retain his party’s backing to stay in the top job.
Luxon has been facing questions in recent days about whether he has the support of his party to remain as prime minister. The New Zealand Herald reported on Friday that members of his National Party will move against him this week, although it is unlikely to be a formal challenge or confidence vote initially.
Luxon told Radio New Zealand on Monday that he had the full support of National’s members of parliament and would remain as prime minister.
In a 1News Verian poll released late on Sunday, support for the National Party fell 4 percentage points to 30% and indicated that if the election were held today, the current coalition government would not win sufficient seats to retain power.
Support for Luxon as preferred prime minister also fell 4 points, to 16%. Support for Chris Hipkins, leader of the Labour Party and a former prime minister, was down 1 point to 19%.
The next general election is scheduled for November 7.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Ethan Smith)
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