New Zealand PM announces surprise resignation

WELLINGTON. KAZINFORM - After Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's shocking resignation, Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key also announced he will step down after eight years in office.

photo: QAZINFORM

Key made his decision public at a weekly press conference citing family reasons. He is expected to resign on December 12. Vice Prime Minister Bill English is set to take over until New Zealand chooses a new Prime Minister.

John Key won the third term at elections in September 2014 and vowed he would not be seeking the new term in 2017.