As of: 07/11/2022 9:58 p.m
The British Tory party wants to name the successor to Prime Minister Johnson, who has announced his resignation, by September 5. The candidates have to face a complicated selection process. So far, eleven interested parties have applied.
The successor to outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be announced on September 5th. This was announced by the ruling conservative Tory party in London. Johnson had announced his resignation as party leader last Thursday after an internal party revolt and mass exits in the government apparatus, which also meant the end of his government office. He also announced that he would remain in office until a new party leader was elected.
Complicated voting process
Anyone applying to succeed Johnson must not only have eight but at least 20 supporters from their own parliamentary group in order to take part in the selection process, said the chairman of the committee responsible for the election, Graham Brady. Applications will be accepted throughout Tuesday.
“I hope it will be quick”
The first two rounds of voting in the parliamentary group are to take place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Only those who receive at least 30 votes from conservative MPs will survive the first round. Brady was confident that the number of applicants could then be reduced to two. “I hope it goes relatively quickly,” he said.
If not, the procedure is repeated until only two candidates are left. By September 5, the party members should then decide by postal vote which of the two remaining candidates will succeed Johnson as Tory party leader and thus as prime minister.
Eleven applicants
So far, eleven politicians have registered as applicants. Among the favorites are Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, whose resignations from finance and health ministers kicked off a wave of more than 60 government resignations. Acting Secretary of State Liz Truss is also applying to succeed Johnson.
Johnson’s three-year term in office was shaped by Brexit, the implementation of which was one of his key election promises, the consequences of the corona pandemic and numerous affairs and scandals, which ultimately led to the political end for the controversial prime minister.