WELLINGTON, 12 December (BelTA - Xinhua) - New Zealand's ruling center-right National Party on Monday confirmed that Bill English is replacing outgoing Prime Minister John Key, and the new deputy prime minister will be Paula Bennett.
English, who was elected by his parliamentary caucus exactly a week after Key announced his shock resignation, repeatedly stressed in a broadcast press conference that the government under his leadership would follow the same policy settings laid down under Key's eight years as the country's leader.
He had already said that Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce would replace him as finance minister, but he declined Monday to outline any further changes to his cabinet, saying they would be announced before Christmas.
