World leaders have felicitated Liz Truss named as the new leader of the Conservative Party and Britain’s next Prime Minister.
Truss the foreign secretary will succeed Boris Johnson on Tuesday, September 6, and become the nation’s third female, after securing just over 81,000 to Mr. Rishi Sunak’s just over 60,000.
The former foreign secretary has an exceptionally busy in-tray, with global issues – chiefly the war in Ukraine – right at the top.
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Early phone calls are expected to be made to Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden, as Ms Truss sets out her foreign policy priorities and cements crucial relationships with key allies.
Already, Russia has released a statement saying that relations between London and Moscow are so bad, “it’s hard to imagine anything worse.”
World Leaders’ reactions
Russia
“I wouldn’t like to say that things can change for the worse, because it’s hard to imagine anything worse,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked if Moscow expected any shift in relations with Britain.
“But unfortunately, this cannot be ruled out, given that the contenders for the post of British prime minister competed with each other in anti-Russian rhetoric, in threats to take further steps against our country, and so on. Therefore, I don’t think that we can hope for anything positive.”
Asked if President Vladimir Putin would send a congratulatory telegram, he said: “Let’s wait and see who becomes prime minister.”
Ms Truss is chiefly known in Russia for a visit she made to Moscow in February, when she and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a rancorous meeting. Mr Lavrov described their conversation as like a dialogue between deaf and mute people, complaining that facts had “bounced off” her.
Germany
German leader Olaf Scholz was the first to congratulate Liz Truss on Twitter.
He said: “Congratulations on your new role, Liz Truss! I am looking forward to our cooperation in these challenging times. The UK and Germany will continue to work closely together – as partners and friends.”
Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister, said, “I wish you wisdom, strength and luck as the Prime Minister of the UK. As our common European security is challenged like never before, we must find strength in unity, friendship and trust.”
Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet congratulated Liz Truss but has taken the time to heap praise on Boris Johnson.
He said he thanked Mr Johnson on behalf of all Ukrainians that “this personal bravery, principles and a major contribution” to countering Russian aggression.
“I congratulate the people of the United Kingdom on the new head of Government and wish Liz Truss to fulfil all the tasks she takes office with,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament.
“Since the start of the war, Ukraine has felt what real friends are. No doubt, the United Kingdom is Ukraine’s true ally. I believe support for Ukraine will only increase.”
France
No statement yet from Emmanuel Macron, who Liz Truss said “the jury is out” on during the leadership election.
However, French MEP Nathalie Loiseau, a member of Macron’s liberal coalition, said: “Liz Truss will become Prime Minister at a difficult moment.
“I wish her the best of luck because the success of the UK is important for its allies and neighbours. I hope she will refrain from making things more difficult between the EU and the UK and engage in a strong partnership.”
Scotland
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she “will seek to build a good working relationship” with Liz Truss after her election as Conservative leader.
She tweeted: “Congratulations to Liz Truss. Our political differences are deep, but I will seek to build a good working relationship with her as I did with last 3 (prime ministers).
“She must now freeze energy bills for people & businesses, deliver more cash support, and increase funding for public services.”
European Parliament
Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, said: “Congratulations to Liz Truss, the next Prime Minister of the UK.
“The EU & UK are natural friends & allies, with same core interests at heart. Democracies must remain united, in standing against autocracy and aggression. The European Parliament will always be a partner to the British people.”
European Commission
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has fired a thinly veiled warning shot to Liz Truss over the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, in her congratulatory note.
“Congratulations Liz Truss,” she said.
“The EU and the UK are partners. We face many challenges together, from climate change to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I look forward to a constructive relationship, in full respect of our agreements.”
The message was echoed by European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, who said: “Congratulations, Liz Truss.
“A positive EU-UK relationship is of great strategic importance, I stand ready to work intensively and constructively with my new UK interlocutor to foster such a partnership, in full respect of our agreements.”
European Council
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, referenced The Beatles in his congratulatory tweet.
“Congratulations on your election,” he said, “All we need is … friends.”
“Looking forward to working together. #UK #EU #TheBeatles”.
Ireland and Northern Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin is ready for business.
“Congratulations Liz Truss on your election as Conservative party leader,” he tweeted.
“I look forward to working with you, as PM of our nearest neighbour, on important issues we face together, both bilaterally and globally.”
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said Liz Truss needed to prioritise the restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland.
Ms O’Neill said the UK Government needed to stop “pandering to the DUP” as she called for an urgent meeting with the incoming prime minister.
“Liz Truss has an opportunity to come in now and stop pandering to the DUP, stop pandering to the approach which is damaging to our ability to help people through the cost of living crisis,” she said.
She urged the new prime minister not to suspend the Northern Ireland Protocol, by triggering Article 16 of the post-Brexit arrangements, and instead engage with the EU and Irish government to find a resolution to the issues with Irish Sea trade.
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Congratulations Liz Truss for being chosen to be the next PM of the UK.
“Confident that under your leadership, the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will be further strengthened. Wish you the very best for your new role and responsibilities.”
Poland
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a press conference: “I spoke to Liz Truss several times over the last few months, when she was head of foreign affairs, and I can already say that I am very, very pleased, because this will be at least a continuation, perhaps even a strengthening, in accordance with her announcements, of this British policy, which until now has been a de facto policy identical to our Polish policy of supporting Ukraine in its fight for independence, freedom, sovereignty and for our European values.”
Netherlands
“Congratulations to Liz Truss, who is to be the United Kingdom’s new prime minister,” says Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister.
“The Netherlands has long enjoyed close ties with the UK, and I look forward to working with Ms Truss to strengthen them even further. I wish Liz Truss every success in her new job.”
Czech Republic
Petr Fiala, PM of Czech Republic, said: “I congratulate Liz Truss on winning leadership election. I wish her a great success in her new role.
“I believe that Great Britain will continue to be a valuable ally of the Czech Republic and European Union.”
Lithuania
Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has extended an invitation to Liz Truss.
“Congratulations on making it to the top job, Liz Truss,” he says.
“It was a pleasure working with you at the Foreign Office in support of Ukraine and I am looking forward to increasing our cooperation even further. Lithuania is ready to welcome you!”
Estonia
Kaja Kallas, prime minister of Estonia, offered her “heartfelt congratulations” to Liz Truss.
“Estonia and the UK are already the closest of friends and allies, and I’m confident our partnership will only grow. Looking forward to our cooperation and meeting again soon,” she said.
Gibraltar
Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s chief minister, said: “I have expressed my warmest congratulations to Liz Truss on her selection as Conservative Party Leader and her likely appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Her Majesty the Queen tomorrow.
“Liz has always been a great friend of Gibraltar and has worked very closely with us during her time as International Trade Secretary and Foreign Secretary. As International Trade Secretary, Liz was instrumental in delivering trade deals for Gibraltar and as Foreign Secretary we have worked very closely together on all issues not least on the negotiations for a UK/EU Treaty on Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU.
“I have also personally thanked Ms Truss for her recent offer of support in relation to the OS 35 Incident and look forward to continuing to work closely with her as Prime Minister going forward.”
NATO
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary-general, told Ms Truss “The United Kingdom plays a leading role in NATO, including with strong contributions to our defence & significant support to Ukraine. I look forward to working closely with you as Prime Minister at this pivotal time for our security.”
Finland
Sanna Marin, Finland’s prime minister, offered Ms Truss her “warm congratulations”. “UK is among Finland’s most valued partners. I look forward to working closely with you on security and defence, climate and so many other areas,” she said.
In a break from tradition on Tuesday, Mr. Johnson and his successor will go to Balmoral rather than Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth, who will ask the new leader to form a government.
(Telegraph)
