The British Tory party wants to name a successor to Prime Minister Johnson, who has announced his resignation by 5 September. Candidates have to face a complicated selection process. So far, eleven interested parties have applied.

The successor to outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be announced on 5 September. This was announced by the ruling conservative Tory party in London. Johnson announced his resignation as party leader last Thursday after internal rebellion and a massive exit in the government apparatus, which also meant the end of his government office. He also announced that he would remain in office until a new leader of the party was elected.

complicated voting process

Anyone applying to succeed Johnson must have not only eight but at least 20 supporters from their parliamentary group to participate in the selection process, said Graham Brady, chairman of the committee responsible for the election. Applications will be accepted till Tuesday.

“I hope it will be soon”

The first two rounds of parliamentary party voting are to be held on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Only those who receive at least 30 votes from Conservative lawmakers will survive the first round. Brady was convinced that the number of applicants could be reduced to two. “I expect it to happen relatively quickly,” he said.

If not, the process is repeated until only two candidates remain. By September 5, party members must decide by postal vote which of the two remaining candidates will replace Johnson as Tory party leader and thus as prime minister.

eleven applicants

So far eleven politicians have registered as applicants. Among the favorites are Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, whose resignations of finance and health ministers kicked off a wave of more than 60 government resignations. Acting Secretary of State Liz Truss is also applying to replace Johnson.

Johnson’s three-year term was shaped by Brexit, the implementation of which was one of his key election promises, the result of the coronavirus pandemic and numerous cases and scandals that ultimately led to a political end to the controversial prime minister.