Race on to replace Truss premiership

LONDON — Former British prime minister Boris Johnson and his onetime finance minister, Rishi Sunak, were among the leading potential contenders to replace Liz Truss on Friday for Britain's top political post, with candidates canvassing support to become the Conservative Party leader in a fast-tracked contest.

Truss quit on Thursday as prime minister after six weeks in power. Those who want to replace her must secure 100 votes from Conservative lawmakers by Monday to run in a contest which the party hopes will reset its ailing fortunes.

With opinion polls suggesting the Conservatives would be all but wiped out if a national election were held now, the race is on to determine the fifth British premier in six years.

The winner will be announced on Monday or Friday.

In what would be an extraordinary comeback, Johnson, who was ousted by his lawmakers in July but remains popular with party members, was being touted alongside Sunak as likely candidates.

"He can turn it around again. And I'm sure my colleagues hear that message loud and clear," Conservative lawmaker Paul Bristow told LBC radio. "Boris Johnson can win the next general election."

But Johnson might not reach the 100 vote threshold after his three-year premiership was blighted by scandals and allegations of misconduct.

The Financial Times said a Boris comeback would be "farcical".

One of his former advisers, who no longer speaks to Johnson and requested not to be identified, said he was unlikely to reach the target, having alienated dozens of Conservative lawmakers.

Will Walden, who also once worked for Johnson, said the former leader was returning from holiday and assessing the situation.

Sunak, a former Goldman Sachs analyst who became finance minister just as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Europe — and was runner-up to Truss in the summer's leadership contest — is the favorite with bookmakers, followed by Johnson.

In third-place is Penny Mordaunt, a former defence minister popular with party members, who came in third last time around. None have formally declared their candidacy.

Declining to comment on Truss' resignation, as it is the United Kingdom's domestic affairs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China has a consistent and clear position on bilateral ties.

It is a shared responsibility for China and the UK to maintain and develop bilateral ties, which is in line with the common interests of the Chinese and British peoples, Wang said at a news conference on Friday.

"We hope to work with the UK to promote sound development of the ties on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation," Wang said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he hopes political stability will be restored in the UK.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin called for a new prime minister to be selected as quickly as possible to bring stability.

Wang Qingyun in Beijing and Bo Leung in London contributed to this story.

Agencies Via Xinhua