World leaders have been reacting to Rishi Sunak’s rise to the office of Prime Minister. (Picture: Dinendra Haria/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Rishi Sunak has become the 57th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – and the third in two months.
His former boss, Boris Johnson, resigned after a brutal rebellion by his own MPs (of which more than a few still credit Sunak with starting). In contrast, his predecessor, Liz Truss, was ultimately brought down by the economic chaos that followed her and then-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s now infamous ‘mini-budget.’
Now, after being requested by the King to form a government, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be looking to keep the UK in a period of relative economic and political stability following this turbulent time for the UK’s body politic.
In the UK, his appointment has been both welcomed and criticised by political allies, opponents, and celebrities.
The leader of his majesty’s opposition, Sir Kier Starmer, took to Twitter to both welcome the new PM and renew his calls for a general election: ‘Congratulations, Rishi Sunak, on becoming Prime Minister and making history as the first British Asian PM.
‘The Tories have crashed the economy, with low wages, high prices and a cost of living crisis. The public needs a fresh start and a say on Britain’s future.’
But how have leaders worldwide responded to the new Prime Minister assuming office?
Rishi Sunak wins Tory leadership race: What happens next?
Rishi Sunak will become the new UK Prime Minister today after winning the ruling Conservative Party’s leadership contest triggered by Liz Truss’ resignation last week.
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– ‘Liz Truss was unable to admit mistakes – her successor must be willing to’
Read the latest Rishi Sunak news on Metro.co.uk’s dedicated page.
Here is a section of reactions from around the world.
How world leaders reacted to Rishi Sunak becoming the new Tory PM
Leaders from around the world have been welcoming Rishi Sunak to his job role.
Ireland
The Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland), Micheál Martin, has said that he looks forward to working with the new UK PM “on the important issues we face on these islands and globally” – almost certainly alluding to the issues that still surround Brexit.
Ireland’s Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin has welcomed Rishi Sunak to his new job. (Picture: REUTERS/Johanna Geron)
The EU
The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted her congratulations to Rishi Sunak but made it plain there was still a lot of work to be done with the UK, both in terms of the UK’s relationship with Europe and the security situation across the continent, talking about ‘testing times.’
Similarly, European Council President Charles Michel also said: ‘Working together is the only way to face common challenges… and bringing stability is key to overcoming them.’
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky also took to Twitter to congratulate the new PM, wishing him success at home and abroad.
United States
Unfortunately, things did not go quite so smoothly for the President of the United States, who appeared to congratulate ‘Rashid Sanook’ in his initial remarks.
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However, Joe Biden went on to describe the appointment as ‘pretty astounding’ and ‘A ground-breaking milestone’ that ‘matters.’
He also tweeted his congratulations, stating: ‘Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.’
‘Together, I look forward to enhancing our cooperation on issues critical to global security and prosperity, including continuing our strong support for Ukraine.’
France
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, also acknowledged the situation in Ukraine with his congratulations, tweeting he looked forward to ‘working to tackle the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine’
India
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, offered his ‘warmest congratulations’ to Rishi Sunak and ‘Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians.’
How leaders from within the UK reacted to Rishi Sunak becoming the new Tory PM
First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, offered a longer statement in a thread of tweets. While she offered her congratulations and best wishes ‘notwithstanding… political differences’, she went on to call for both a general election and Scottish independence, saying: ‘For Scotland, of course, he becomes another PM we did not and, without doubt would not vote for even if given the chance.’
‘To escape the damage of Westminster governments with no mandate here, and take our future into our own hands, Scotland needs independence.’
The first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, who recently made the headlines for his emotional rebuke of the Tory’s record for Wales, used his congratulations to hope for a better relationship with Sunak than his predecessor, saying ‘Llongyfarchiadau @RishiSunak.
‘The UK desperately needs a period of stability and cooperation to focus on the many challenges we face.’
‘I hope we’re able to work constructively together to support people through these difficult times in a way that your predecessors didn’t allow.’
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Leaders from around the world have been welcoming the new PM to his post.