“Historic moment” in the United Kingdom: Charles replaces Elizabeth II for the throne speech

The Prince of Wales (our photo) detailed, on May 10, a busy program for the government of Boris Johnson.

AFP - BEN STANSALL

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

This Tuesday, May 10 marks, in the United Kingdom, the day of the speech from the throne: the Queen of England must detail, before the assembled Parliament, the directions of her government for the year to come.

For the first time and due to the declining health of Elizabeth II, it was her son Charles who took on this responsibility.

The Prince of Wales has detailed a busy schedule for Boris Johnson's government.

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With our correspondent in London,

Prince Charles, heir to the crown, 73, in a decorated uniform, read, on behalf of the Queen, the speech setting out the government's program at the opening of the British parliamentary session.

He sat on the throne reserved for the consort, symbolically smaller than that of the monarch.

At his side was his wife Camilla, 74, as well as his eldest son, Prince William, 39, who was present for the first time, further proof of a generational change that is taking place.

The forty projects or legislative proposals mentioned by Charles mainly revolve around the economy and security.

In a context of record inflation, "Her Majesty's government" promises to support businesses and households by getting rid of the regulations inherited from the European Union, two years after Brexit.

The equality of territories

Other promises: implement the leveling up, the equality of territories, an argument which (in part) allowed Boris Johnson to be elected, by investing in transport, public services, and by reforming local governance .

On security, the government intends to "

".

Parliament could examine a plan to criminalize protesters who padlock themselves in public spaces with the aim of disrupting traffic – as we have seen recently in the context of climate protests.

Debates

Also on the agenda: a law on financial crime and the strengthening of the fight against illegal crossings of the Channel.

In Parliament, the next few days will be devoted to debates around this legislative agenda.

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• Boris Johnson

• Elizabeth II

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