Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn, Brexit or maybe not Brexit: The general election in the UK is about so much that British media are talking about the most important vote in a generation. Admittedly, they did that at the 2017 election. But that the outcome of the new vote could also have a lasting effect on the fate of the EU, neither Brexit opponents nor Brexit advocates, neither Labor supporters nor Tory supporters should be denied.
What will the coming hours bring? The overview.
(So that the time until the announcement of the result is not too long, our best of British music is recommended for you.)
the initial situation
The Conservatives have been the head of government since 2010. In 2016, the British voted in favor of leaving the EU in a referendum by a narrow margin. Prime Minister Johnson was one of the most prominent advocates. As leader of a minority government, he has lost several votes in the lower house. That's also why he wanted new elections.
Video: This is how the British electoral system works
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There are 650 constituencies, the absolute majority in Parliament is 326th However, the speaker of the House of Commons is traditionally neutral; In addition, it is possible that in Northern Ireland elected representatives of the Irish nationalist party Sinn Féin not take their seats - so that could already be enough to have a majority as less than 326 seats.
In the British electoral system, the person who receives the most votes in a constituency is elected. All votes for the defeated candidates are not taken into account in the composition of the parliament, they expire. This makes it very difficult to conclude from national survey results on the possible distribution of seats in parliament. Extensive surveys, however, Johnson foreseen - albeit with a shrinking lead.
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Day of the decision: Great Britain has the choiceThe Schedule
11 pm (CET): The polling stations close, first forecasts are published. On the basis of surveys at 144 polling stations, a first picture of the distribution of seats is drawn up. According to the BBC, this method was very precise in the past elections.
Probably from 0 o'clock: Single electoral districts report results. Sunderland and Newcastle traditionally play a special role here. They make a competition who first chooses the winner. In the 2017 election, the Newcastle Central district reported a good one hour after the closure of the polling stations who had won. The record for the fastest result holds the constituency of Sunderland South, which is now tailored differently. In 2001, 43 minutes after the closure of the polling stations, the winners were announced.
The count in the 650 voting districts lasts all night.
At 7 o'clock: There should be so many results at this time that it is clear who has won - and whether a party has the absolute majority of votes in parliament.
The options
If a party wins the absolute majority of votes, the party leader visits the Queen and asks for permission to form a government. If there is a "hung parliament" (a lower house in which no party has an absolute majority of seats), parties must talk to each other about a coalition. In that case, Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn would have much more options than Tory boss Johnson.
It is also conceivable a minority government, which would depend on the support of other parties in individual votes. If there is no new government, there would have to be new elections.
