Duel for Downing Street: The new prime minister is called Rishi Sunak – or Boris Johnson. Russian occupiers: the population must leave the city of Kherson immediately

In the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss, a favorite is emerging within the Tory group. According to British media, ex-Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak is the first possible candidate to rally the necessary number of supporters among Conservative MPs. To get to the top job, candidates need the support of at least 100 MPs. Nominations can be received until Monday afternoon.

“These are difficult times and we need leadership to be up to the task, so I support Rishi,” said former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. Sunak has a clear plan to restore financial stability in the UK and regain confidence in the UK economy after the chaos in the financial markets.

Sunak is credited by many for repeatedly warning about the chaos that Truss unleashed on the financial markets with her economic policies during the election campaign against her a few weeks ago. Sunak was already the group’s favorite in the House of Commons when he ran to replace ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but was defeated by Truss in the party’s grassroots vote.

Truss stepped down as the shortest-ever prime minister on Thursday after her economic policies proved untenable and she lost two key cabinet members. The party has announced an accelerated procedure, so that it should be clear by Friday who will be the head of the British government in the future.

Sunak’s most dangerous rival is scandal-ridden Boris Johnson, who left office just a few weeks ago. Johnson returned to London with his family on Saturday from a shortened vacation in the Caribbean and is said to be excited to run as a candidate, according to allies. Over the weekend, a statement from himself was eagerly awaited. Several cabinet members, including Brexit hardliner Jacob Rees-Mogg, have already spoken out in favor of the Bring Back Boris project. She calculated that only Johnson, as a gifted campaigner, could free the Conservative party from the quagmire of catastrophic polls.

However, the numerous scandals linger behind Johnson – and could even lead to his political knockout: An investigation is currently underway into whether Johnson lied to parliament in the “Partygate” affair. If the relevant committee concludes that this was the case, Johnson could even lose his seat as MP. Even longtime allies like “Telegraph” editor Charles Moore wrote in a comment that now is “not the time for Boris.” It’s too early for a comeback. Now Rishi Sunak must ensure order. Ex-Brexit minister and former Johnson confidant David Frost also joined the Sunak camp.

TV presenter Andrew Neil wrote in the Daily Mail that it was time the Tories put the interests of the country above those of their party. “Meanwhile, the idea that Johnson is seen by some Tories as a serious alternative only shows how very large parts of the party have lost their minds.”

Third in the race is Minister Penny Mordaunt (49), responsible for Parliamentary Affairs, who officially announced her candidacy on Friday. According to British media counts, Mordaunt is lagging far behind Sunak and Johnson in public support. If neither Johnson nor Mordaunt pass the necessary threshold on Monday, Sunak could be the next prime minister on Monday.

If more than two candidates receive the necessary support from 100 MPs, the circle must be reduced when voting in the group. If there are two finalists after that, the party base can vote in an online ballot during the week.

The opposition is now clamoring for an immediate new election, but the ruling Tory party has the upper hand and can relatively freely set the date for the next election – no later than early 2025. A new election is therefore considered unlikely for the time being. (sda/dpa)