New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s (42) embarrassing ‘pimmel’ breakdown has taken a surprisingly positive turn. The signed transcript of a heated exchange in parliament fetched more than 58,000 francs at an online auction on Thursday.
She did not expect that after the “faux pas with the old microphone in parliament,” Ardern wrote in online media. When throwing punches last week, Ardern called her opponent David Seymour (39) an “arrogant prick”. Proceeds go to the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation.
A microphone had recorded Ardern muttering the insult as she returned to her seat. Seymour then asked the Speaker of Parliament for an apology from the Prime Minister – so her comment had to be recorded.
“We Made It”
Seymour came up with the idea of using the episode as an opportunity to work together for a good cause. According to him, Ardern immediately agreed. “We managed to laugh at the incident and came up with a plan to raise money for a good cause,” Seymour said ahead of the auction.
“The great thing about this fundraiser is that it appeals to everyone. People who don’t like me, people who like me, people who don’t like Jacinda and people who like her, but most of all people who hate prostate cancer,” he explains.
Both politicians signed a copy of the minutes, which were framed for auction. “The interest was greater than expected,” Seymour told AFP news agency on Thursday. He expected only a fraction of the auction price. (nad/AFP/SDA)