Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister who faced the horror and surprised the world

The mbadacre of Friday, March 15 wrote one of the darkest chapters in the history of New Zealand. It was in Christchurch, a city in panic and pain, when a 28-year-old Australian attacker opened fire on two mosques and left 50 dead and dozens wounded (among them a person who died several days ago). after the facts). ).

The shocking sequence that led to the biggest mbadacre in the country's history – a clear and explicitly Islamophobic attack – could have been followed by speeches of intolerance, revanchism or the promise of isolationist policies. But the course of history was different. And that had a lot to do with that: the 38-year-old Labor leader, Jacinda Ardern, who in 2017 became the youngest woman head of state in the world.

"They are us"He stated in statements about immigrants who were at the center of the hatred of the attacker. The phrase, which has become an emblem, offers an approach to its leadership qualities. But if anyone believes that empathy has been the attribute deployed by New Zealand's first general manager in recent days, it may fail to see recent signs of determination and strategy. clear differentiation with other world leaders.

"I can tell you something now, our gun laws will change"A few hours after uttering these words, he announced the ban on the sale of badault rifles, semi-automatic weapons and large-capacity magazines.

"I do not think that no leader can be prepared anywhere for the moment. I am the leader of a particularly peaceful inclusive nation. And that makes us proud. We are known to be an open country […] In fact, the terrorist who came to perpetrate this has chosen us for these reasons, "he said during a dialogue with the BBC.

In the same interview, and confronted with questions within his own political space, some propose limits to the migratory flow. Ardern replied: "One of the most resounding announcements we have made since coming to power is the refugee quotaespecially in the context of conflicts that have left people without the security of a permanent home. We are an open country […] I reject the idea that by being willing to create a receptive environment for those wishing to feel at home in New Zealand, we have created a climate conducive to the existence of this type of home. ;ideology. "

Another decision of the first president was not to name the Christchurch striker. "He searched for a lot of things in his act of terror, but one of them was notoriety, which is why he they will never hear me say their name. He's a terrorist. It's a criminal. This is an extremist. But it will be, when I speak, a "non-name""he said.

With regard to his plans after the tragedy that led the country to "lose his innocence" in terms of security, he said: "I want all those who live in New Zealand in their country to feel safe, whatever their race or race ". I am particularly sorry when it comes to women and children […]. My job is work to rebuild your sense of security, and that includes dealing with any form of racism. "

"Beyond the fact that we were all impressed by the attack, a very peaceful and distant nation, I found the attitude of a prime minister who demonstrated a humanist leadership. Unlike other leaders in situations like these terrorist attacks. She was compbadionate, responsible and inclusive, "badysis Andres Hatum, expert in leadership and professor at Torcuato Di Tella University. This is totally contrary to the attitude of another leader. He went to earth, showed his humanity and showed that politics can be done with a different center, where to include and not divide society is a possible thing. "

Jacinda-Manía

The story of Jacinda Ardern is more than intense. She has a degree in communication and has held the positions of world leader of socialist youth. In 2017, at the age of 37, she managed to defeat the New Zealand National Party, after almost ten years of power, and became the first female president of the world.

The current Prime Minister is the second elected head of state who had a son during his tenure. She was also the first leader to bring her baby to the United Nations General Assembly. The image of your partner, the TV presenter Clarke Gayford Taking care of his daughter while Ardern was in session with world leaders, was a good summary of what Ardern and his simple, unprejudiced style symbolized.

His imprint, which clearly differentiates him from his peers, has attracted fascination among men and women around the world and in the media. The "Jacinda-Mania", as it was called the phenomenon, was invited to the most famous television programs of the United States and the United Kingdom.

"I do not think there is a leadership manual, and I rebel with the idea that politics must be an ego – filled place, where you are obsessed with beating somebody. Yes, we need a solid democracy, but you can be strong and Well, then we build a compbadionate government, one focused on improving people's well-being and their economic well-being, "she said in an interview with journalist Victoria Derbyshire, BBC News.

"Do you want to propose marriage to your husband?" You are a feminist, "he asked, to close the dialogue. With a laugh, Ardern replied: "I am absolutely feminist. But I want it to go through the torture of asking this question. "

Without a doubt, not all are compliments on the complex course that has held the post of prime minister. The North American newspaper Wall Street Journal he said in a tweet: "Meet the Justin Trudeau of New Zealand -but he looks more like Trump in immigration. "In this regard, Ardern is responsible for pointing out that his government has increased refugee quotas (which is true, but this increase represents a total of 1,500 vacancies) and, subtly, try to differentiate yourself from Donald Trump in calling for compbadion and inclusion.

He has also been blamed for his efforts to facilitate housing plans (the famous KiwiBuild) that present many bureaucratic hurdles, as noted in a profile recently published in the newspaper Washington Post.

But the Christchurch mbadacre seems to have placed the New Zealand leader in front of the challenge of her life. "People have lost confidence in politicians and political institutions, I think that if we want to restore that trust, we must also see what we give in. But at the same time, we must also be open." We politicians are fragile individuals. We are human, "said Ardern herself some time ago.

Almost as he had been able to predict what was coming, all his humanity was put to the test in the last days. Before the world, he could deploy empathy but also the firmness to continue, as he may not have been able in other situations, the necessary policies to send a concrete, coherent message. with his statements.

Can the woman who fascinates the world maintain her principles and safeguard the interests of her country, inside and outside her borders? Can it be coherent in time with the message of compbadion and solidarity that it embodies today? For now, it's worth keeping a close eye on Jacinda Ardern. A woman who revive hope, even among the most skeptical, that another leadership It is real and humanly possible.