United Kingdom: eight candidates officially in the running to replace Boris Johnson – franceinfo

The name of the future Prime Minister will be known in September after a vote by party members. Among the favourites: ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak, former defense minister Penny Mordaunt and the head of diplomacy Liz Truss. Article written by Published on 07/12/2022 21:27 Updated on 07/12/2022 21:27 Reading time: 1 min. They are eight on the starting line. The race for Downing Street has officially started and there are eight Conservative candidates trying to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson after obtaining the necessary number of sponsorships on Tuesday July 12. The latter resigned Thursday after about sixty members of his executive slammed the door, tired of repeated scandals. However, he remains Prime Minister until his successor is known on 5 September. Unsurprisingly, ex-Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, former Defense Minister Penny Mordaunt, Foreign Minister Liz Truss and MP Tom Tugendhat easily secured the 20 backers needed to officially run for leadership. of the Conservative Party – and therefore to the post of Prime Minister, announced the 1922 committee, a Conservative parliamentary group responsible for establishing the rules of the ballot. Newly appointed Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi, Government Legal Adviser (“Attorney General”) Suella Braverman, ex-Equality Secretary Kemi Badenoch and former Health Minister Jeremy Hunt are also in run. On Tuesday morning, there were still eleven candidates to succeed Boris Johnson, but three of them, including former Health Minister Sajid Javid, withdrew as the closing date for applications approached. As of Wednesday, the eight candidates will have to rally 30 deputies to their cause if they want to pass the first round of the vote. A second round is scheduled for Thursday and another, if necessary, for Monday. The objective is to have only two candidates left before the parliamentary holidays which begin on July 22. The name of the future Prime Minister will be known in September following a final vote open to party members. The bookmakers place neck and neck Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, followed by Liz Truss. Share: Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share by email Share link