The new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, has resigned, saying she can no longer deliver the mandate on which she was elected by the conservative Party.
Her decision to step down comes after a tumultuous six-week term in which her policies triggered turmoil in financial markets and a rebellion in her party undermined her authority.
Truss barely lasted for two months on the seat.
She had defeated Rishi Sunak by 81,326 votes to 60,399 in an internal contest after Boris Johnson’s resignation in July.
The lawmaker was the Conservatives’ fourth head of the British government since 2015, who promised to unleash the country’s potential by going for growth and doing away with the obstacles holding the country back.
Truss announced her resignation today while addressing journalists, saying she came into office at a time marked with political and international instability.
Part of her statement read: “I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills, Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent and our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth.
“I recognized though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party”.
She said she would remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen, which is expected to be completed within the next week.
Her departure leaves a divided Conservative Party seeking a leader who can unify its warring factions.
