WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND) – New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters announced on Thursday that he would take medical leave this week to undergo a surgery after suffering from food poisoning.
“This is an unexpected medical event and of course unexpected timing. However the doctor’s advice on having surgery needs to be followed,” said Peters, who is also the foreign minister.
After experiencing food poisoning symptoms, the minister sought medical help earlier this week and was advised to undergo surgery.
He said he would have to recuperate at home after the surgery.
“I remain confident of a quick return to work – as well as being fighting fit for the election campaign, which is typically physically gruelling,” said Peters.
New Zealand faces elections in September and the pandemic dominates the campaign.
Peters’ New Zealand First party is a junior partner along with the Greens in an alliance with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party.
Opinion polls reveal that Labour Party could head the government on its own sans an alliance thanks to the soaring popularity of Ardern.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
