The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

After the "Partygate" affair: Boris Johnson strengthened by the Russian war against Ukraine

2022-04-02T09:55:29.910Z


Because British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to have celebrated parties despite the lockdown, his term in office was about to end. But now the public pressure is easing – probably also because of the Ukraine crisis.


Enlarge image

Relaxed walk: Boris Johnson seems to have gotten over the "Partygate" affair for the time being (photo from 2021)

Photo:

TOLGA AKMEN / AFP

According to experts, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has significantly eased the pressure on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"A cynic would say that the war in Ukraine has proved a useful distraction for Boris Johnson," political scientist Tim Bale of Queen Mary University in London told the German Press Agency.

Political scientist Matthew Flinders of Sheffield University said the war constituted "a kind of useful shield" for Johnson.

It distracts from the "Partygate" affair and other critical issues such as the enormous cost of living.

weak opposition

"In these times, opposition from both the media and other political parties ebbs for fear of being seen as unpatriotic to the prime minister during an international crisis," Flinders said.

There is also a weak opposition.

"The Labor Party does not present itself as a serious future governing party with a clear leadership team or a unified political agenda," said the expert.

Instead of a clear confrontation with the Tories, internal conflicts dominated.

more on the subject

  • Downing Street lockdown breaches: Scotland Yard issues first Partygate fines

  • Boris Johnson: 'Putin has already crossed the red line to barbarism'

  • Friendship with Russian-born Evgeny Lebedev: Boris Johnson under pressure for proximity to media mogul

London Police are still investigating several downing street lockdown parties.

At that time, there were strict contact restrictions.

Johnson, who attended several celebrations, insists the meetings were work meetings.

Because of his handling of the affair, several MPs from his Conservative Party had called for his resignation.

On Friday, police handed out the first fines of £50 each against around 20 participants at a celebration.

This means that rules were actually broken at the events.

Landmark municipal elections in May

The danger for Johnson is far from over, said Mark Garnett, who teaches political philosophy at Lancaster University.

On the one hand, the prime minister could still get a fine from the police.

For many Tories, that would be confirmation that Johnson lied to Parliament.

On the other hand, important local elections are coming up at the beginning of May.

"If the Tories have to take a bitter defeat there, it would be taken as a public vote of no confidence in Johnson," Garnett said.

The party would then presumably urge him to withdraw.

mpz/dpa

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2022-04-02

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.