British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed media reports that the general election will be held on July 4.
His statement followed a day of speculation in Westminster, after several members of his cabinet canceled meetings at the last minute.
Thus, as the BBC reports, Foreign Minister David Cameron cut short his trip to Albania, while Defense Minister Grant Shapps postponed his trip abroad in order to attend a meeting with the Prime Minister.
Sunak said at an extraordinary press conference that earlier today he asked King Charles to dissolve the parliament on May 30, and that he received a positive answer.
"During the day I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of parliament. The king approved the request and parliamentary elections will be held on July 4," Sunak said.
Sunak told an emergency media conference that he was proud of what his government had achieved, including spending on health and education.
He added that he understands that it is not easy for many at the moment, but that it is now up to the citizens to answer "how and whom to trust".
"This is the moment to decide on the future of Great Britain. To decide whether you want to build the future you have made or risk going back to the beginning," he said.
Under British law, Parliament can be dissolved for a general election no later than the fifth anniversary of the day it first met.
For the current convocation of the parliament, that date is December 17, 2024.
After that, the law foresees the possibility of 25 working days for the preparation of elections, so the upcoming elections had to be held by January 28, 2025.
The Prime Minister can call elections at the time he chooses, within a period of five years.
Sunak became Prime Minister on 25 October 2022 when he succeeded Liz Truss, who took over from Boris Johnson.
According to earlier polls, the favorite is the opposition Labor Party. Labor could win around 45 percent of the vote, far ahead of the Conservatives who could win between 20 and 25 percent.
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