March 28, 2024

Liz Truss, neue Premierministerin von Großbritannien, trifft in der Downing Street ein. Foto: Victoria Jones/PA Wire/dpa

First test of Premier Truss

Great Britain – A day after being appointed as the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss is awaiting her first test in Parliament.

Boris Johnson’s successor as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Conservative Party will answer questions from MPs in London on Wednesday afternoon. The 47-year-old is expected to present a plan to counter the rapid increase in energy costs. According to reports, it wants to freeze electricity and gas prices. The Prime Minister’s questions in Parliament traditionally take place on Wednesdays of every week’s session.

Queen Elizabeth II tasked Truss with forming a government on Tuesday to replace Boris Johnson in Downing Street. After a sometimes bitter party campaign against former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, she was only elected party leader the day before with a relatively narrow majority.

In light of high inflation and a serious crisis in the healthcare system, Truss is already under pressure. The relationship with the European Union is also significantly strained by the dispute over the implications of Brexit and the special rules for the British province of Northern Ireland. There are concerns that the former foreign minister may further escalate the dispute.

Truss announced her new government on Tuesday evening. Former Labor Secretary Therese Coffey, considered her closest ally, will take over the Health Ministry and become deputy prime minister, Downing Street announced. As expected, the new Prime Minister appointed the former Minister of Economy, Kwasi Kwarteng, to an important position as Minister of Finance. James Cleverly, recently head of education and before that Secretary of State for Europe under Truss, took over the State Department. Conservative hardliner Suila Braverman becomes Minister of the Interior. Foreign Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is seen as an opponent of green industries and an influential member of the ultra-conservative wing of the Conservative Party, will become the new economy and climate minister.

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As one of her first official acts, the new prime minister – as announced during the election campaign – called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Her office said afterwards that she affirmed her country’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Truss stressed the importance of the UK and its allies working together on energy independence.

Truss has reportedly accepted an invitation from Zelensky to visit Ukraine soon. Her predecessor Johnson has traveled to Kyiv three times since the Russian invasion began in February.