British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a possible rebellion in his Conservative Party and a vote of no confidence, while waiting to see how damaging the report about the parties at 10 Downing Street will be for him during the strict restrictions due to the coronavirus, reports Radio Free Europe ( RFE/RL) writing by the world's media, which also indicates that there is already speculation about possible successors.
Johnson is seeking to shore up his support among Conservative MPs, while his allies express concern that he will soon face a vote of no confidence after a report on parties at the prime minister's residence during the strict lockdown measures in May 2020 is published, according to the Financial Times.
The so-called "Partygate" report is being worked on by senior official Sue Gray with the help of six associates and people familiar with the preparation of the report say it may not be released until the second half of this week due to the number of people it interviews.
According to government insiders, the mood in Downing Street is "increasingly somber" over the possible fallout from the report for Johnson, who said he thought the May 2020 gathering of staff in the garden of 10 Downing Street was a work event, even though the invitation said " bring your own drink".
Many of Johnson's allies are resigned to the fact that there will be a vote of no confidence, although they think the prime minister could win, the Financial Times points out, but also points out that many conservative MPs have indicated that they will not take a final position on whether to insist on a vote until they don't read Sue Gray's report.
On the other hand, the British newspaper writes, part of the conservatives are less and less optimistic about Johnson's chances of surviving the vote, partly because some Tories have begun to focus on the possibility of competing for the party leader.
In order to trigger a vote of no confidence, at least 54 Conservative MPs need to submit a letter of request to the Conservative caucus "Committee 1922".
By Friday, six Conservative MPs had publicly expressed no confidence in the Prime Minister, but, the BBC points out, it is believed that many more of them have sent letters to the chairman of the "1922 Committee", which organizes the Tory leadership election.
Johnson is in the greatest danger as the "partygate" report is expected, the Observer assesses and indicates that ministers and Conservative MPs have been making difficult calculations for weeks - whether to publicly stand by Johnson as he tries to save his position or stay away and not be linked to the efforts of a leader whom much of the public believes has unjustifiably broken the rules on COVID-19.
For those in ministerial positions and ambitions to stay there or climb further up the ladder, "partygate" means they have to make difficult decisions, given that some conservatives are already preparing for potential elections for the leader in the event that Johnson is ousted, the sister weekly points out. Guardian, stating that it is said in ministerial circles that agreements are already being made to support candidates for guaranteeing the position.
Conservative MPs are also under a lot of pressure as Johnson calls them and asks for loyalty, the Observer says, adding that many of them are waiting to see what happens in Sue Gray's report before deciding whether to oppose Johnson.
At the same time, many at the top of the government are in suspense, as the content of the report could have seismic effects on many careers.
Sue Gray is said to have been "forensically" thorough in the investigation into at least nine Downing Street parties.
People who are in contact with her and who know her say that she will be "fair" but also "ruthless" because she is the type of person who will not see breaking the covid rules as a small thing, especially for those who made those rules .
However, Downing Street is not giving up either, the weekly points out.
In the past few days, he has gone all out with announcements to show he is on the offensive, which many see as attempts to push "partygate" off the headlines - such as announcing a pay freeze for the BBC, using the navy to stop migrants and warnings of the Foreign Office about the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Among the possible candidates for Johnson's successor, the favorite at bookmakers is Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, according to the Associated Press.
It is speculated that in the case of Johnson's dismissal, the foreign minister Liz Truss, the health minister Sajid Javid, the influential conservative Michael Gove and the former health and foreign affairs secretary Jeremy Hunt could also be in the running for the new leader.
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