Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Islamabad News advertisment Urdu Point. DW ۔ July 12, 2022 - Britain's ruling Conservative Party said on Monday that a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson would be elected on September 5. Eleven candidates are currently in the running for the post, and voting will begin this week.
Graham Brady, chairman of the committee overseeing the selection of the new prime minister, said: "I want this process to be as smooth, convenient and clean as possible.
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Under Britain's parliamentary system, Boris Johnson's successor will automatically become prime minister and will not require a general election.
Last week's political turmoil forced Johnson to resign.
More than 50 members have submitted their resignations to Johnson in recent weeks. Johnson's own team was also against him due to several scandals.
In order to speed up the process of selecting the Prime Minister, the race of candidates will require the support of at least 20 members of Parliament instead of the usual eight. And a candidate who fails to get the support of at least 30 MPs compared to the first round will be eliminated from the race.
When Boris Johnson was asked if he supported a particular candidate, he declined.
At this stage, it's the prime minister's job to let the party decide. Let them do it. And let them implement the projects for which we were selected," Johnson said.
Who are the aspirants?
The new leader of the Conservative Party will be elected in two stages. Candidates who fail to get at least 30 votes will not advance to the next round.
The Conservative Party's 358 members of parliament will eventually choose only two candidates.
Party members across the country will choose one of the two candidates to succeed Boris Johnson.
Boris Johnson currently has a long list of potential candidates to succeed him. Among them are former Finance Minister Rishi Sonak and former Health Minister Sajid Javed.
It was only after the resignation of these two ministers that the process of resignation of other ministers and members began, as a result of which Prime Minister Johnson had to resign.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss and Sonak's successor Nazim Zhawi are also in the running to succeed Johnson. Home Minister Preity Patel is reported to have not yet decided whether to join the race or not.
Sonaks are considered to be at the forefront of this race.
Some of his initiatives as finance minister have been praised, and it is said that if he becomes prime minister, it will be economically beneficial for Britain.
However, analysts say that whoever succeeds in the race for leadership will face many challenges. The UK economy is currently plagued by soaring inflation, rising debt, and low growth. For the first time in decades, the people of the United Kingdom are facing financial difficulties. Rising fuel prices due to the war in Ukraine have further increased inflation.
JA / SZ (Reuters, AP)
