The hitherto chief of diplomacy, 47, was announced on Monday as the winner in the internal election of the Conservative Party, against former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, a 42-year-old former banker billionaire, grandson of Indian immigrants. Third woman at the head of the British government, after Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) and Theresa May (2016-2019), Truss represents the most right-wing wing of the party and promised to lower taxes to boost an economy on the verge of recession.
conservative politics Liz Truss became the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdomthe third woman to hold that position, after receiving the formal commission from the Queen isabel II at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
In a formal act known as the “kissing hands” -although the practice is limited to a bow or a handshake-, of which Buckingham Palace released a photo, the monarch asked Truss to form a new government, whose composition will be will announce in the next few hours.
As found by the BBCThis would be the first time the queen has been seen in public in “some time.”
Minutes after 12:00 local time (7:00 in Chile), the hitherto Foreign Minister arrived at Balmoral Castle, where for the first time in her reign Elizabeth II has appointed a new head of government.
In the solo meeting between the queen and Truss, perfectly timed as it happens with the political traditions of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II asked the applicant to form a new administration, to which the applicant usually responds with a simple “yes” .
“The Queen received (…) Elizabeth Truss in audience and asked her to form a new Administration. Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed her hands upon her appointment as Prime Minister,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
Johnson’s departure
Shortly before, the until today Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had presented his formal resignation to the monarch, after having announced on July 7 his intention to resign.
Truss prevailed in the primary elections held during August within the Conservative Party to elect its new leader, who automatically assumes the leadership of the Executive thanks to his parliamentary majority.
The event was held at the Scottish residence of the Royal House due to the mobility problems suffered by Elizabeth II, according to the Palace.
After the meeting, Truss will go to London, where she will make her first speech as head of government at the gates of her residence in Downing Street.
Subsequently, it is expected that the composition of its Executive will be known, with the current Minister of Business, Kwasi Kwarteng, as the great favorite to occupy the Economy portfolio and therefore the unofficial title of “number two” in the cabinet.