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Who will replace Boris Johnson as party leader?

Boris Johnson's departure as party leader and British Prime Minister is looming. But who could follow him?

According to media reports, Boris Johnson wants to announce his resignation as party leader of the conservative Tories. Usually, the outgoing party leader remains in office as prime minister until a successor is elected. But there is massive resistance to this, including from the Tories. So it could go much faster than usual. But who could take over government in Britain after Johnson? What alternatives are there for the Tories?

Secretary of State Liz Truss

46-year-old Liz Truss is considered the darling of the conservative base. On Thursday, according to a BBC report, she immediately canceled her trip to the G20 summit in Indonesia and returned to London when Johnson’s resignation became apparent. The 46-year-old is considered a potential successor to the prime minister. In Johnson’s government, she was foreign trade secretary for two years before the staunch Brexit supporter was appointed foreign secretary. Since last year she has also represented British positions as chief negotiator in Brussels. Truss carefully cultivates her public image: last year she had her picture taken in a tank, which is reminiscent of a well-known picture of Britain’s first woman Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Ex-Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt

55-year-old Jeremy Hunt isn’t hiding the fact that he hasn’t entirely given up on his aspirations to make it to 10 Downing Street. In mid-2019, Hunt came second in an internal party runoff for the Conservative presidency, and Johnson automatically became prime minister. From Hunt, observers would expect a more serious style of government. Hunt has been chairman of the Health Committee for the past two years – a far cry from the current administration.

Ex-Health Minister Sajid Javid

Sajid Javid also resigned on Tuesday in protest at Johnson’s handling of the case of a Tory member accused of sexual misconduct. The former banker held several government posts before heading the Ministry of Health, and he resigned as Finance Minister in 2020. The son of Pakistani immigrants is said to be an admirer of ex-Prime Minister Thatcher.

Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace

52-year-old Ben Wallace’s popularity rose in the wake of the Tories’ war in Ukraine. His ministry is highly rated for the arms shipments to Ukraine, having won plaudits for evacuating British citizens from Afghanistan in 2021. Wallace himself was in the army and was stationed in Germany, among other places. He had been Secretary of State for Security at the Home Office since 2016 before taking over the Ministry of Defense in 2019.

Ex-Finance Minister Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak resigned on Tuesday, saying the British were right to expect “proper, competent and serious” government work. For a long time, Sunak was considered the favorite to succeed Johnson. He scored in the corona pandemic with a rescue program for the economy. However, given the skyrocketing cost of living, many Britons believe his ministry’s support is too low and the taxes too high. Like Johnson, the 42-year-old was also fined for violating lockdown requirements.

Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi

The newly appointed finance minister, Nadhim Zahawi, was until recently the education minister. Above all, he gained sympathy when he was still responsible for the Covid vaccinations in the government. The campaign was one of the most effective in the world. The former Iraqi refugee, who came to Britain as a child, has had a meteoric career that sets him apart from his competitors. Just last week, Zahawi said it would be a privilege for him to become prime minister.

Ex-Secretary of Defense Penny Mordaunt

As soon as Johnson became prime minister, he relieved Penny Mordaunt of the defense portfolio. Mordaunt had supported Johnson’s rival Hunt. The staunch Brexit supporter is currently Secretary of State at the Department of Commerce. She called the lockdown parties behind the recent no-confidence vote against Johnson shameful and said voters wanted the government to be professional and competent.

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