Boris Johnson's government is already a thing of the past, but his retirement announcement marks the beginning of a tough race to replace him that will end no later than October.
During the race Johnson will remain as prime minister until members of the Conservative Party agree to hold a number of rounds of elections between the candidates, including a final round to be held by postal ballot.
The winner of the race will become the leader of the Conservative Party, and since it is the ruling party he is expected to ask for the blessing of Queen Elizabeth to form a government and he will accept it.
Although Johnson does not currently have a favorite heir over party members, there are a few notable names who have already begun to cultivate a "base" of voters in recent years.
Mordount face
Penny Mordaunt, the former UK defense minister is considered to have a particularly high chance of winning the primaries, in part because she is considered a clear Brexit supporter and was among the prominent and first party and government votes cast against Johnson in the Corona Law Violations case at his official residence
Rishi Sonak
Until a few days ago Sonak was Johnson's finance minister and the most senior figure in his cabinet, and probably also the most important figure by virtue of his many powers.
He has been considered a favorite to succeed Johnson for years but was recently injured after it was revealed that he too was a partner in the severe violations of the Corona laws and was fined for it, and was also tainted by affair of his business empire, among other things. For violation of the law).
Rishi Sonak, the resigning finance minister, Photo: Roberts
However, its success at the beginning of the epidemic is probably well remembered, among other things, by the many grants that saved many businesses from collapse, but recently it has also eroded due to rising cost of living.
If he wins the party leadership and then forms a government, he will be the first prime minister with a Hindu ethnic background in Britain.
Sajid Javid
Along with Sonak, Javid actually triggered the recent crisis that toppled Johnson as prime minister when he resigned as health minister.
Javid ran against Johnson in the 2019 primaries, but was ousted in the early stages, but the fact that he was the first to retire from the cabinet in such a dramatic way may place him as the clear alternative candidate against Johnson.
Sajid Javid, former health minister resigns, Photo: Reuters
Javid also served as Johnson's finance minister until a year ago.
Because of his short tenure as finance minister, he is less considered a well-known and well-liked figure in the British public.
If he is elected head of the party, he will be the first prime minister of Pakistani descent.
Liz Tras
Liz Trass made history when she became the first foreign minister to be a woman in Britain and was considered Johnson's ally until the last minute, so she could be very popular with the outgoing prime minister's voters if she ran.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Trass, Photo: AFP
It gained a relatively high profile recently following the crisis in Ukraine, which made Britain the most determined voice against Putin in Europe.
She was also involved in contacts with Iran to bring about the release of prisoner Nazanin Rectliff.
Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace
Although less well known among the conservative public in Britain, Carno has recently risen due to his handling of the crisis in Ukraine.
Also the fact that he is considered relatively "gray" compared to the colorful 'Johnson', gives him an advantage among those who want to vote for change and a new page for the party.
Nadim Zahawi
The new finance minister, and education minister until a few days ago, Zahawi became a strong candidate almost overnight because he has a successful track record of achievements in government and parliament, especially in the first two years of the corona plague when he received the "vaccine portfolio" from the government.
Also, being the son of Iraqi refugees who came to Britain as a child would make his win historic.
However, about a decade ago it was tainted in the case of excessive spending by MPs as well as in view of its business ties with the oil and gas industry.
Dominic Rab
The British Minister of Justice has been considered a rising force recently, and has even been appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
This means that he is in fact the second in line of succession of the prime minister and therefore also appointed as a temporary deputy to Boris Johnson when he was hospitalized in intensive care after being infected with the corona virus.
British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, Photo: EPA
Apparently, Raab's is the fastest way to become prime minister if Johnson decides to implement his resignation before the end of the primaries.
Either way, Raab, the son of a Jewish father who fled Czechoslovakia in 1938 in the face of Nazi immigration, may be the surprising candidate, even if at the moment the chances are extremely low.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we would love for you to share it with us