Expressed intention to retain Prime Minister position in transitional government until successor is elected
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as leader of the ruling Conservative Party on the 7th (local time) in front of the Downing Street residence in London.
On that day, Prime Minister Johnson stated, "I will maintain the position of interim Prime Minister until a successor party leader is elected."
In the UK, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons automatically becomes the Prime Minister. It is customary for the outgoing party leader to serve as interim Prime Minister until the new party leader and Prime Minister are chosen. Johnson's predecessors, Theresa May and David Cameron, also served as interim Prime Ministers before stepping down.
If Prime Minister Johnson had immediately expressed his intention to resign from the Prime Minister position, Queen Elizabeth could have appointed an acting Prime Minister from among the current members of parliament. Currently, there are calls both inside and outside the Conservative Party for Johnson to step down immediately from the Prime Minister position due to damage to his morality and loss of leadership.
Johnson's intention to resign as party leader while maintaining the interim Prime Minister position is expected to provoke strong opposition from public opinion, including the Conservative Party.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that "the Conservative Party leadership election will be held this summer, and a new Prime Minister will be appointed in line with the Conservative Party conference scheduled for October."
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