No return as Prime Minister
Boris Johnson will not run again

23/10/2022, 22:14

After a few weeks in office, British Prime Minister Liz Truss has thrown in the towel. Now the Tories are looking for a successor. One thing is clear: former Prime Minister Johnson is unavailable.

After all, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be running for office in an internal party vote. Although he has the necessary support in the Tory Conservative faction, he chose not to, the politician said in the afternoon. He is endorsed by more than 100 MPs and can apply, Johnson wrote.

Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is the most promising candidate for Downing Street. According to the BBC, more than 140 parliamentarians have spoken out in public for him. The support of at least 100 deputies is necessary. He wanted to lead the country through the crisis with “integrity and professionalism,” Sunak wrote on Twitter when he officially announced his candidacy.

Also in the running is Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs Penny Mordaunt, who has fallen far behind in third place. The Tory party is seeking a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss, who resigned on Thursday after an unprecedented six chaotic weeks in office due to pressure from her party. Candidates can participate in the race until Monday afternoon (15:00 CEST).

Commenting on his retirement, Johnson wrote: “I have a good chance of succeeding at grassroots level and could possibly be back at Downing Street on Friday.” However, he had come to the conclusion that this was not the right path. “You can’t govern effectively if you don’t have a unified party in parliament.” Unfortunately, no agreement was reached with his rivals Sunak or Mordaunt. “I think I have a lot to offer, but unfortunately this is probably not the right time,” said the 58-year-old.