LONDON (dpa-AFX) – British ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not run for office in an internal party vote after all. Although he has the necessary support in the Conservative Tory faction, he decided against it, the politician said on Sunday evening. He has the backing of more than 100 MPs and can submit an application, Johnson wrote.
Ex-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 MPs is necessary. He wants to lead the country through the crisis with “integrity and professionalism,” Sunak wrote on Twitter when he officially announced his candidacy on Sunday. Also in the running is Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs Penny Mordaunt, who has been far behind in third place.
The Tory party is seeking a successor for outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss, who resigned on Thursday after six unprecedentedly chaotic weeks in office after pressure from her party. Candidates can enter the race until Monday afternoon (3:00 p.m. CEST).
Commenting on his withdrawal, Johnson wrote: “I have a good chance of succeeding at grassroots level and could possibly be back in Downing Street on Friday.” Nevertheless, he had come to the conclusion that this was not the right way. “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./swe/DP/zb
