New Zealand’s election ended without a clear winner on Saturday, with preliminary results putting Christopher Luxon’s National party and its right-leaning partners just above the threshold for a parliamentary majority, The Guardian reported.

The figures suggested National, Act and NZ First would together hold 67 seats in a possible 130-seat parliament, where 66 would be needed to govern. National accounted for 42 seats, Act for 13 and NZ First for 12.

But hundreds of thousands of special votes remained uncounted and could change the makeup of parliament. Final results are expected on November 27, and coalition negotiations are likely to take weeks.

Neither Luxon nor Labour leader Chris Hipkins claimed victory or conceded defeat. Both acknowledged the wait ahead before a governing coalition could be negotiated, according to The Guardian’s election coverage.

The left-wing bloc fell short of a majority in the preliminary figures, with Labour on 35 seats, the Greens on 16 and Te Pāti Māori on five, for a combined 56.

The centrist Opportunity party also crossed the 5% threshold to enter parliament. The Guardian reported that the newcomer could potentially play a kingmaker role in coalition talks.

The outstanding ballots leave the National-led bloc’s narrow path back to power uncertain until the count is completed.

Sources