British Prime Minister Sunak wants to clean up broken pieces of his predecessor British radio host dies during live broadcast

After the failure of his predecessor, the new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised when he took office that the enormous problems in the country would be addressed.

“Mistakes have been made,” Sunak said in his maiden speech in Downing Street, referring to Liz Truss’ short tenure. This failed with his radical economic policies after only about six weeks. The 42-year-old said he wanted to repair the damage.

At the beginning of the week, the Conservative Party appointed Sunak as its new party leader – and therefore also prime minister. King Charles III officially ordered him on Tuesday morning to form a government at Buckingham Palace.

Sunak defends Truss policy

Sunak is the first Indian-born British head of government and also the youngest Prime Minister in over 200 years. The father of two daughters has made an unprecedented turnout. He was first elected to parliament in 2015 and moved to Downing Street just seven years later – faster than anyone in recent history. He is the third prime minister in just two months, after Truss became the shortest-serving prime minister in history.

Nevertheless, the 47-year-old again defended her policy on Tuesday morning before formally resigning in an audience with King Charles. “Since my time as prime minister, I am more convinced than ever that we must be brave in the face of the challenges we face,” Truss said. You still believe in economic growth through low taxes, and the UK should use its “Brexit freedoms”.

Truss had stirred up turmoil in the financial markets with radical tax reforms to be financed solely with new debt. After harsh criticism, including from her own ranks, she had to backtrack – her authority had been damaged. Sunak now promised the country more stability in a “serious economic crisis”, but also warned that this would require “difficult decisions”.

Deposed minister of the interior back in cabinet

With the appointment of his cabinet members on Tuesday, Sunak set the first accents. Holding on to Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who almost completely reversed Truss economic reform in a spectacular 180-degree turn after his appointment, is seen as a guarantee of stability. He is expected to present a medium-term financial plan early next week. Sunak ally Dominic Raab returns as Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Contrary to expectations, Penny Mordaunt – rival in the race for Downing Street – was denied a key ministry but remains Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs.

The nomination of Suella Braverman from the party’s right as Home Secretary was again astonishing. This had left the Truss cabinet six days ago due to a rule violation. Braverman represents an extremely tough stance on immigration policy. The appointment is seen as an attempt to unite the different wings of the Tory party behind it. Grant Shapps, who headed the interior ministry for a few days, will now become economy and energy minister under Sunak. Ben Wallace remains Secretary of Defense. After taking office, Sunak pledged to lead the government with integrity and restore confidence.

Former Secretary of State Atkins said on Tuesday he is confident the Tories can resolve their differences. But the party base has been criticized because Sunak took office without a vote from the members. The opposition is calling for new elections, which the prime minister has already rejected. In polls, the Tories are trailing the largest opposition party, Labour, and are likely to lose some seats in the event of a quick general election. (saw/sda/dpa)