National has lost 2 seats, while TMP has gained 2, and the Green party has gained 1. NACT now need NZF to govern.
Rachel Boyack has won Nelson by 21 votes, and Phil Twyford has won Te Atatū by 131 votes.
122 seats because of the overhang, which will rise to 123 after the Port Waikato by-election.
TPM are a very different party than they were during the Key era. It would be very difficult for National & TPM to work together on anything but a handful of issues. It would probably be easier for National to work with the Greens.
Yeah, true. Only other option would be Labour, Greens, TPM, NZF. Not outside the realm of possibility but I’d say very unlikely. I think Labour would feel a term or two out of government would be better for their popularity than sneaking their way back in with such a deal. And I’m pretty sure Winnie said no to working with Labour (not that it means anything).
Another election is also possible, and I’d say more likely than NZF going with labour. NZF will come around eventually to a deal with National. They know the alternatives could be bad for them. Same for Act