Political earthquake in London: Johnson wants to continue - new ministers appointed

Almost at the same time, two British ministers quit.

Political earthquake in London: Johnson wants to continue - new ministers appointed

Almost at the same time, two British ministers quit. They publicly questioned Prime Minister Johnson's suitability for the post. So far, he has not reacted, but according to insiders, he wants to remain in office. The opposition speaks of signs of dissolution.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apparently wants to remain in office despite the resignations of his finance and health ministers and several state secretaries. Two people close to the prime minister said Johnson would fight for his post. Meanwhile, the vacant posts are filled just hours after the departures.

After the resignation of Rishi Sunak, the finance department is to go to the previous education minister, Nadhim Zahawi. The 55-year-old was born in Iraq and fled to Britain with his family in the mid-1970s. He was one of the founders of the survey company YouGov in 2000 and was the head of the company until 2010. Zahawi's previous post will be taken over by Secretary of Education Michelle Donelan. Johnson's former chief of staff, Steve Barclay, will take over the health department.

Finance Minister Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid were initially alone in the closest cabinet with their resignations: According to the British media, Foreign Minister Liz Truss and Defense Minister Ben Wallace expressly backed Johnson. Both are considered possible successors.

Sunak and Javid posted their respective letters of resignation on Twitter at almost the same time. Both texts question Johnson's ability to lead a government that adheres to certain standards. Johnson previously apologized on television for his handling of the case of a member of his Conservative Party who was accused of sexual misconduct.

Three state secretaries also announced their resignations on social media in the evening. A trade representative also resigned, as did a vice-chairman of Johnson's Tories, who announced his resignation on live television.

So far, there has been no direct statement from Johnson. His office published a letter of reply to the two ministers in the evening, in which Johnson regretted their resignations. Brexit Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg told Sky News that the prime minister was business as usual. "He has a job to do."

Finance Minister Sunak tweeted that the population has the right to "proper, competent and serious administration". "I realize that this may be my last ministerial post," it said. "But I believe these standards are worth fighting for."

For his part, Health Minister Javid said he could no longer serve in government in good conscience. "While I'm a team player by instinct, the British people are right to expect integrity from their government." Johnson lost his confidence.

Javid and Sunak both publicly supported Johnson during the lockdown partying scandal. Two Conservative MPs, who did not want to be named, said unanimously that Johnson was over as prime minister. "He shouldn't prolong the suffering. That's disrespectful to his colleagues, his party and his country." The second MP also said: "It's all over. I'd be amazed if he holds out until the summer." Both had recently supported Johnson.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labor Party said in a first reaction that the government was dissolving. "After all the dirt, scandals and failures, it's clear that this government is now collapsing." He would support early elections, Starmer later explained. Johnson won a confidence vote from his parliamentary group in early June. He had come under pressure for violating strict contact restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, his government has been criticized for its handling of inflation. Johnson has always refused to resign.