Bolsonaro hails new UK prime minister

President Jair Bolsonaro celebrated the election of former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to succeed Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party.

“Congratulations @BorisJohnson, new prime minister of the United Kingdom, elected with the laudable commitment to respect the designs of the British people. Count on Brazil in the search for free trade, the promotion of prosperity for our people, and the defense of liberty and democracy,” Bolsonaro wrote.

Johnson defeated current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in a vote held in the last four weeks with 160 party members. During his campaign, Johnson pledged to lead the UK outside of the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal.

Resignation

Several of May’s cabinet members announced they would rather resign than collaborate with a government aimed at a so-called hard Brexit, a development economists believe may lead to a collapse in trade with the UK and send the country into recession.

Among them are Finance Minister Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke.

The new prime minister will head the House of Commons, where most oppose leaving the EU without a deal, and where the Conservative Party does not have an absolute majority.

*With information from German public news agency Deutsche Welle