Former British Economy Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday led the first vote among Conservative MPs to replace Boris Johnson at the helm of the party and eventually become the country’s prime minister.
Sunak took first place by 88 votes, ahead of former Defense Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who grew up in the past few hours and achieved an important result, with 67 ratifications.
Two candidates withdrew from the race for failing to reach the minimum margin of 30 votes, the current Economy Minister and Sunak’s successor, Nazim Zahawi, and former Health Minister Jeremy Hunt.
Secretary of State Liz Truss passed the first vote by 50 votes. former Minister of State for Equality Kimi Badenok, 40; Representative Tom Tugendhat, 37; and Attorney General Suila Braverman, 32.
A second vote is scheduled for Thursday (14). There is a possibility that the others will happen until only two candidates remain, among whom the Conservative voters will choose, by mail, the new leader and future prime minister.
Johnson, who is acting prime minister, announced his resignation after more than 50 cabinet members quit in protests over scandals throughout his tenure, such as parties at the official residence in Downing Street during the pandemic.
