The new UK Prime Minister to replace the outgoing Boris Johnson will be declared on September 5, the ruling Conservative party said Monday.
The leadership contest was triggered last week when Johnson (58) was forced to step down after more than 50 resignations from his government, in opposition to his scandal-hit premiership.
Nominations will officially open and close on July 12, with a new PM set to be installed when parliament returns from the summer break on September 5, Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, told reporters.
Tory MPs will whittle the current list to a final two through a series of ballots, with the worst-performing candidate eliminated after each round.
With calls for Johnson to leave Downing Street as soon as possible, the numbers are likely to be pared down quickly to just two.
Bob Blackman, the joint executive secretary of the 1922 Committee, said they were committed to doing that before parliament breaks for the summer on July 21.
Brady said the first ballot will be held on Wednesday, with a second ballot likely on Thursday.
In order to speed up the process, candidates must have at least 20 MPs backing them to enter the race, up from the usual eight, and any candidate who fails to get the support of at least 30 MPs in the first ballot will be eliminated.
Among those running are Rishi Sunak, and Sajid Javid, whose departures as finance minister and health minister sparked the resignation wave.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss and Sunak’s successor Nadhim Zahawi have also declared their bid, and Home Secretary Priti Patel is reportedly mulling a bid.
Brexit figurehead Johnson dramatically announced his departure as party leader but is staying on in Downing Street until a successor is found.
