WELLINGTON (AFP)--New Zealand's prime minister-elect, John Key, said he had put together a center-right government led by his National Party, paving the way for his announcement of a cabinet as early as Monday.
The multi-millionaire former investment banker was elected earlier this month, bringing an end to nine years in power for the Labour Party of outgoing premier Helen Clark.
At a news conference Sunday, Key said he had signed up the support of the ACT party. The five seats it won in the general election, along with National's haul of 59, assures Key a majority in the 122-member parliament.
The 47-year-old Key promised before the election to enact a raft of reforms in his first 100 days in office, including tax cuts before Christmas and a relief package for people made redundant during the global financial crisis.
Key said that National and ACT have many shared goals, including "wanting to see a more prosperous and cohesive country driven by initiative and hard work.
"There is a recognition from both sides that in order to promote strong growth in investment, employment and incomes, stable government and high levels of business confidence are required," he said.
Key is expected to release the details of his cabinet Monday.
Ministers would be sworn in Wednesday, which would allow Key to fly out Thursday to the APEC summit in Peru as New Zealand's new prime minister.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 16, 2008 14:25 ET (19:25 GMT)

Publié le 16 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones