Conservative politician Liz Trss became the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Tuesday, the third woman to hold that position, after receiving the formal commission from Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
In a formal act known as the 'kissing hands' – although the practice is limited to a bow or a handshake – of which Buckingham Palace released a photo, the monarch asked Truss to form a new government, whose composition will be announced in the next few hours.
The queen is 96 years old and the new prime minister, 47. She is the 15th head of government appointed by Elizabeth II in her 70-year reign and the fourth conservative prime minister in the last six years (two have been men and two women ). The event was held at the Scottish residence of the Royal House due to the mobility problems suffered by Elizabeth II, according to the palace.
Minutes after 12:00 (local time), the now Foreign Minister arrived at Balmoral Castle, where for the first time in her reign Elizabeth II has appointed a new head of government. In the solo meeting between the queen and Truss, perfectly timed as it happens with the political traditions of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II asked the applicant to form a new administration, to which the applicant usually responds with a simple "yes" .
“The Queen received (…) Elizabeth Truss in audience and asked her to form a new Administration. Truss accepted Her Majesty's offer and kissed her hands upon her appointment as Prime Minister," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
Shortly before, the until today Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had presented his formal resignation to the monarch, after having announced on July 7 his intention to resign.
Truss prevailed in the primary elections held during August within the Conservative Party to choose its new leader, who automatically assumes the leadership of the executive thanks to his parliamentary majority.
After the meeting, Truss heads to London, where she will make her first speech as head of government outside her Downing Street residence. Subsequently, it is expected that the composition of its Executive will be known, with the current Minister of Business, Kwasi Kwarteng, as the great favorite to occupy the Economy portfolio and therefore the unofficial title of number two in the cabinet.
Truss faces the daunting task of reining in inflation, quelling labor unrest and reforming a Social Security stifled by long waits and understaffing. But the first problem is energy. In the two months of campaigning to succeed Boris Johnson, the new prime minister has not disclosed her energy strategy, but – according to the British press today – she plans to limit energy bills.
