Donald Trump, Simon Bridges and Iran’s foreign minister are just some of the world leaders who have come out and congratulated soon-to-be British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson, a former Mayor of London and British Foreign Secretary, took 92,153 votes, while rival Jeremy Hunt scored 46,656 votes in a ballot of party members. Turnout was 87.4% with Johnson taking 66% of votes.
Johnson will be appointed to British Prime Minister by the Queen on Wednesday (local time).
US President Donald Trump was quick to congratulate Johnson in a tweet, saying: “He will be great!”
Outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May – who Johnson has long been a critic of – tweeted her congratulations to the new party leader, promising him her “full support.”
In a statement issued by New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, she said that she had been in contact with Johnson on Wednesday morning.
“I’ve had a positive text exchange with incoming Prime Minister Johnson this morning to congratulate him on his election. He said he was looking forward to working together.
“Mr Johnson is familiar with New Zealand in his former role as Foreign Secretary and has an excellent relationship with our Foreign Minister that I am sure will be mutually beneficial for our countries.”
New Zealand’s National Party leader Simon Bridges tweeted within minutes of Johnson’s election.
Congratulations to @BorisJohnson on becoming Prime Minister of the UK. Boris is a great friend of New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/h2TpAcU5B1
— Simon Bridges (@simonjbridges) July 23, 2019
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison also took to Twitter to congratulate Johnson.
“Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his election as Leader of the Conservative Party in the UK,” Morrison posted on Tuesday night.
“I look forward to working with him and catching up at the G7 next month.
“He has a reputation for getting things done and making things happen. I wish him all the best as he charts the way forward for the UK. We have a great relationship with the UK and it will remain so with Boris.”
Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, published a letter he had sent to Mr Johnson saying he hoped to work together in “the best possible way”.
This will be difficult for the hard-line Brexiteer Johnson as the EU aren’t making it easy for Britain’s leaving. Johnson has just 100 days to deliver on his Brexit promise.
