A lot of the heavyweights of Theresa May's team have been ruled out. The new British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has made clear to surround himself with eurosceptics, with the promise to leave the European Union on October 31, with or without agreement.
Women and ethnic minorities forward
The first appointments he has made also confirm his desire, announced by his family, to promote women and people from ethnic minorities.
The former banker Sajid Javid, a son of Pakistani immigrants, has been appointed finance minister, a strategic position in the Brexit context, especially in the event of a no-go exit, which could generate severe economic turbulence.
He was until now Minister of the Interior, portfolio recovered by Priti Patel, 47 years old, an ardent lawyer of the Brexit and whose parents are of Indian origin.
Boris Johnson chose another Eurosceptic convinced, 45-year-old Dominic Raab, to take the lead in British diplomacy, a crucial position in the midst of the oil crisis with Iran.
Dominic Raab resigned last year from the government of Theresa May to mark his opposition to his strategy on Brexit, which he considered too conciliatory with the European Union. He replaces Jeremy Hunt, unfortunate rival Boris Johnson in the Tory leadership race.
Steve Barclay is retained as Brexit Minister and will be the interlocutor of the EU negotiating teams.
Departure "without conditions"
In his first speech to Downing Street, Boris Johnson promised to "leave the EU on October 31, without conditions". This new deadline, in less than 100 days, was set after two postponements of the Brexit, originally scheduled for March 29 because of the rejection of the divorce agreement concluded by Theresa May with Brussels.
He repeated that he was ready for an exit without agreement, denouncing the "pessimism" of anti-Brexit, who fear the economic consequences of a brutal break after 46 years of union.
Three years after the June 2016 referendum that saw the British vote for Brexit at 52%, "the British are tired of waiting," said Boris Johnson.
Even before he reached Downing Street, several ministers slammed the door of the government: Deputy Prime Minister David Lidington, Finance Minister Philip Hammond, Justice Minister David Gauke, and Development Minister Rory Stewart, marking their opposition to the possibility of an exit without EU
Others were thanked, including pro-Brexit Penny Mordaunt, Minister of Defense, and Liam Fox, Minister of International Trade.
Boris Johnson has appointed Dominic Cummings, the controversial director of the official Brexit campaign in the June 2016 referendum, as his adviser, a source close to his team said.
First snags
His first day in power was marked by a few snags: environmental activists from Greenpeace briefly blocked his route, while he went to Buckingham Palace to be invested by the Queen. And while he was delivering his speech, anti-Brexit protesters shouted their displeasure.
These hiccups show that Boris Johnson does not leave on conquered ground. And while he has said he is persuaded to get a "better deal that will maximize the opportunities of Brexit," he still needs to spell out his strategy.
"We are waiting to know what the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants, what are the choices of the United Kingdom," EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday, saying: "The no deal 'will never be the choice of the EU, but we are ready'.