According to media reports, the two most promising candidates in the race to succeed the outgoing British Prime Minister (47) gathered for talks.
Ex-Finance Minister Rishi Sunak (42) and ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson (58) met on Saturday evening. Initially, nothing was known about the content of their conversation. However, British media immediately speculated that the two could agree on a deal to avoid a split in the Tory party. For example, the conservative Sunday Telegraph suggested that favorite Sunak Johnson could offer a role in a future cabinet.
According to British media, Sunak is the first possible candidate to rally the necessary number of supporters among the Conservative MPs who stand behind him. To stand a chance of winning the top position, applicants need the support of at least 100 parliamentarians. Nominations can be received until Monday afternoon.
Accelerated procedure for new government formation
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.
Johnson only returned to London with his family on Saturday from an abbreviated vacation in the Caribbean and, according to allies, would be on the starting blocks for a candidacy. In the afternoon, a source close to Johnson said he had the 100 supporters needed. Until then, however, far fewer people had known about him in public.
So far, neither Sunak (42) nor Johnson (58) have officially applied. 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. (SDA/kes)