Liz Truss is now the 27th female head of government worldwide, after being officially appointed as the Prime Minister of Britain following a meeting Tuesday with Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Truss, the foreign secretary for the past year, replaces Boris Johnson, who resigned after his government lost the support of lawmakers. Truss becomes the prime minister a day after the ruling Conservative Party chose her as its leader. She automatically became prime minister without the need for a general election, since the Conservatives still have a majority of lawmakers in the House of Commons.
Truss inherits a country mired in a cost-of-living crisis and is expected to immediately address the Brits’ soaring household bills. Truss has pledged to “deliver on the energy crisis,” but more details will not be announced until Thursday.
Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister has been receiving congratulatory messages and best wishes from the heads of different countries. Truss served in various Cabinet offices under prime ministers David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
According to the United Nation’s UN Women division, 26 women were serving as Heads of State and/or government in 24 countries up to September 01, 20221. Countries that currently have a female head of government include Uganda, Sweden, New Zealand, Iceland, Greece and Finland.