The next step is to hold ballots among MPs until the two most popular candidates remain. The proceedings begin on Wednesday. In the final round, all party members can vote. It must be announced on September 5 who will succeed Johnson.
One of the most famous candidates is former finance minister Rishi Sunak. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab expressed his full support for the former minister. At the start of Sunak’s campaign, Raab said of his colleague that he “has what it takes” to steer the country through difficult economic times. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Liz Truss is also competing. The other candidates are Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt, Tom Tugendhat and Nadhim Zahawi.
Former Health Minister Sajid Javid and UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps had expressed their intention to run for office but withdrew before the final list of candidates was announced. Candidates had to receive a minimum of 20 nominations to be on that list.
The first round of voting starts on Wednesday.
